Former Marella crew member, Derrick Crasto, has decided to speak out after what he describes as a deeply traumatic incident onboard, and what followed afterward may be just as disturbing.
After what he describes as a violent incident onboard Marella Explorer 2, former crew member Derrick Crasto says the most difficult part didn’t happen in the dining room that night it started once he left the ship.
Derrick, who worked as a Headwaiter, says he was assaulted during service, in front of guests by crew ember. He reported injuries to his back and immediately informed ship management, believing the situation would be properly handled and documented.
What followed, based on email correspondence was a long and exhausting exchange of messages that ultimately led nowhere.
While the incident itself was acknowledged in replies, Derrick says no clear explanation was given about what would happen next.
The email expressed sympathy, but according to Derrick, it offered no guidance on follow-up steps, no reassurance about support, and no mention of formal documentation.
Instead, he received brief replies explaining that any documentation related to disciplinary hearings was held by his employer and that all official requests for information needed to go through the employment company.
In other words, the ship directed him to the agency.
This left Derrick stuck in a loop. The ship pointed him to the employer, while the employer said the company was not responding. Everyone acknowledged that something serious had happened, yet no one seemed willing or able to hand over the paperwork.
“I was personally assured onboard that I would be helped,” Derrick wrote in a follow-up message. “When I came home, even my employer had no idea about this incident.”
He believes this decision later worked against him, as he was left without official medical paperwork to support his case.
At the same time, he says the situation had already taken a serious toll on his own life.
“After this, I feel like I’ll never be able to work on ships again,” he shared. “It has impacted my future a lot.”
Despite reaching out to maritime lawyers and exploring legal options, Derrick says nothing moved forward, largely because he did not have access to official reports or statements.
Eventually, he reached a painful conclusion.
“So I gave up,” he said. “All I can do now is let the world know.”
Derrick says sharing his story won’t undo what happened, but staying silent feels worse.
After what he describes as a violent incident onboard Marella Explorer 2, former crew member Derrick Crasto says the most difficult part didn’t happen in the dining room that night it started once he left the ship.
Derrick, who worked as a Headwaiter, says he was assaulted during service, in front of guests by crew ember. He reported injuries to his back and immediately informed ship management, believing the situation would be properly handled and documented.
What followed, based on email correspondence was a long and exhausting exchange of messages that ultimately led nowhere.
Reporting the Incident
In an email sent shortly after the incident, Derrick described in detail what happened. He said he was attacked with a wine bottle and a wine opener, in full view of guests and colleagues, and that he suffered visible injuries. He made it clear that he intended to report the incident to shore-side authorities, adding that he was emotionally shaken and deeply frustrated.While the incident itself was acknowledged in replies, Derrick says no clear explanation was given about what would happen next.
“She Is Leaving Today”
In one response from a senior operations representative, Derrick was told that the crew member involved was under guard and would be leaving the ship that same day. The message also suggested that such incidents can happen on board.The email expressed sympathy, but according to Derrick, it offered no guidance on follow-up steps, no reassurance about support, and no mention of formal documentation.
Asking for Documents — and Getting Sent in Circles
After signing off and returning home, Derrick followed up by email, asking for official statements and reports so he could move forward with legal actions. He says he was specifically told onboard that he could continue the process from home and that the necessary documents would be provided by the recruiting agency.Instead, he received brief replies explaining that any documentation related to disciplinary hearings was held by his employer and that all official requests for information needed to go through the employment company.
In other words, the ship directed him to the agency.
The Agency Had No Answers Either
When Derrick contacted his employment agency, he says they were unable to help. According to him, the agency told him they had received no information from the company and had no documents related to the incident.This left Derrick stuck in a loop. The ship pointed him to the employer, while the employer said the company was not responding. Everyone acknowledged that something serious had happened, yet no one seemed willing or able to hand over the paperwork.
“I was personally assured onboard that I would be helped,” Derrick wrote in a follow-up message. “When I came home, even my employer had no idea about this incident.”
Refusing to Sign a Medical Form
Derrick also says he was asked to sign a medical document during sign-off stating that he was fine and had no injuries. Because the document did not reflect his condition, he refused to sign it.He believes this decision later worked against him, as he was left without official medical paperwork to support his case.
“They Told Me Not to Go Public”
As time passed and no documents were provided, Derrick says he was discouraged from taking the story public, with concerns raised about the company’s reputation.At the same time, he says the situation had already taken a serious toll on his own life.
“After this, I feel like I’ll never be able to work on ships again,” he shared. “It has impacted my future a lot.”
Despite reaching out to maritime lawyers and exploring legal options, Derrick says nothing moved forward, largely because he did not have access to official reports or statements.
Eventually, he reached a painful conclusion.
“So I gave up,” he said. “All I can do now is let the world know.”
Derrick says sharing his story won’t undo what happened, but staying silent feels worse.
