A cruise ship passenger may have gone overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, reports online say.
212 identified overboard incidents from cruise ships for either crew members or passengers between 2009 to 2019.
According to a post on Reddit, guests aboard Explorer of the Seas were awoken to rescue efforts at 5am on Friday.
Turned the ship
“They turned the ship about and launched multiple boats and had spotlights looking into the ocean. I could hear high pitch sounds coming from the distance. I fear someone may have gone overboard,” wrote Aramedlig.
Explorer of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas is sailing a 7-Night Greece & Croatia itinerary that set sail from Ravenna, Italy. According to the report, the ship was between Dbrovnik and Zadar, Croatia when the incident occurred.
6 of the onboard fast
Another Reddit user on the same sailing added more details regarding the rescue efforts.
“They have several local ships on either side and about 6 of the onboard fast rescue launches out,” wrote Harleys-for-all.
Croatian ship
“We’ve formed a line in the sea about 2 miles wide and are slowly combing the area.”
They’re still actively searching. High speed rescue ship and two tenders, with Croatian ship supporting on starboard side.Croatian Coast Guard and Air Force are helping. Our port of call to Zadar today has been canceled.
Croatian newspaper Slobodna
Explorer of the Seas is a large cruise ship, capable of carrying 4,290 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 1,185 crew members. She is 1,020 feet long and 157.5 feet wide.The first sailing of Explorer of the Seas took place on October 28, 2000.
(CVSSA)
Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.
In addition, there are thick metal or Plexiglas panels or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent people from slipping through.
The Points Guy
An article from The Points Guy points out cruise ships have railings that are around chest height to ensure passenger safety and to prevent someone from slipping and falling overboard.
Report (CLIA)
In a report from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), there were 212 identified overboard incidents from cruise ships for either crew members or passengers between 2009 to 2019.
Of these overboard incidents, only 48 (or 28.2%) individuals were successfully rescued. Around 71.8% of people who go overboard from cruise ships are sadly never recovered or located.
