Carnival cruise ship briefly seized in Texas

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — U.S. marshals briefly seized a cruise ship in Texas as part of a $10 million lawsuit related to the fatal Italian cruise ship wreck.

The Carnival Cruise Lines ship was seized for several hours Saturday while docked in Galveston, where it was scheduled to leave with 2,700 passengers. Attorneys later reached a deal releasing the ship.

A Texas judge had ordered the seizure to secure the plaintiff's claims against Carnival Corp., the Miami-based parent of the Italian cruise line whose ship crashed in January. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a German citizen who died in the wreck.

Plaintiff attorney John Eaves Jr. says he didn't want to inconvenience passengers, but rather emphasize the need for improved safety.

Carnival noted the matter related to a European-based sister cruise line.