What Happens If Someone Falls Overboard On A Cruise Ship
One man fell overboard while standing on a table when the ship was moving full speedhe simply tripped and fell above the railing.
What happens if someone falls overboard on a cruise ship. A Crew Members Perspective. People dont normally fall overboard he says adding Some might jumpthere is a proportion of cases known to be suicideand some are pushed or thrown overboard Michael McGarry CLIAs senior vice president of public affairs agrees noting that cases are nearly always found to be the unfortunate result of intentional or reckless acts. If you fall overboard and are in the water for 3060 minutes youll die.
If you go overboard and no one reports youre missing for a few hours later youre toast. In general intoxication is the critical factor that leads to an overboard accident. As a maritime emergency all other ships in the vicinity will also stop and help if needed.
Miami-based maritime attorney Jim Walker an industry watchdog says man-overboard incidents are not simple cases of falling or getting swept off a deck by the wind. If you are spotted while going overboard just falling really isnt possible you are in luck as the crew will immediately start the MOB procedure and will try to rescue you with a lifeboat. If not youre practically from the get go as good as dead.
If you fall overboard in the middle of the ocean most likely you wont make it. Oceans are very cold. During my time working on ships I have taken part in countless exercises.
The chances of survival after falling from a cruise ship are tragically low with an estimated 85 to 90 per cent of cases resulting in death. But to answer OPs question. Your biggest problem is surviving the fall remaining conscious and praying someone saw you go overboard.
One woman sued her cruise line for allowing her to become drunk enough to fall overboard then taking too long to rescue her. Yet when someone falls overboard the repercussions extend far beyond the personal safety of the person who fell. The railings are so high and there are always people around who could prevent a.
