Human error caused a New York-bound cruise ship to list suddenly as it left port in Florida, injuring 240 people, Princess Cruises said in a statement.
"We can confirm that the incident was due to human error and the appropriate personnel changes have been made," company president Alan Buskelew said in a letter sent Tuesday to passengers.
The accident occurred July 18, about 11 miles (17 kilometers) off shore, shortly after the recently commissioned Crown Princess left Port Canaveral, in southern Florida with 3,400 aboard.
The ship listed sharply to port (left), sending furniture, objects and people flying into glass windows and walls as well as emptying the swimming pools, tsunami-style, onto the decks.
Ninety-four of the 240 passengers who were treated on board the Crown Princess for various injuries such as abrasions, bruises and fractures were later transferred to hospitals.
"There is an investigation into the incident being carried out by the US authorities, which has not yet been fully completed.
"It would therefore be inappropriate for us to comment in any detail before that investigation is complete and the results published," Buskelew said.
"We would never operate an unsafe ship, nor would the US Coast Guard allow a ship to sail that had any safety issues."
Only one person remains in hospital, he said.
The ship returned to port after the accident.
The US Coast Guard had said the accident was apparently caused by a steering problem.
