Has Anyone Ever Fell Overboard on a Cruise Ship?

By Anna Duncan

Cruising is the perfect vacation for many people. You get to see the world and enjoy some of the best food, entertainment, and activities on board.

But what happens if someone falls overboard? Has anyone ever fallen overboard on a cruise ship?

Unfortunately, it does happen and there have been numerous incidents of people falling off cruise ships. In 2019, a man fell off a cruise ship near the Bahamas, though he was rescued by other passengers on board.

In 2018, a woman fell overboard near the Canary Islands while on a Carnival Cruise ship. She was later found dead in the water.

These incidents are rare but they do happen and it’s important to be aware of them when planning your next cruise vacation. Cruise lines are required by law to have railings that are at least 42 inches high and railing gates that open inward to prevent passengers from falling overboard. However, these safety measures can be easily bypassed if people are not careful or if they take risks while on board.

Cruise Lines Must Take Further Steps for Passenger Safety

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has put in place some regulations regarding passenger safety onboard cruise ships but these regulations are often not enough to protect passengers from potential accidents or falls overboard. Cruise lines need to take further steps to ensure their passengers’ safety by installing cameras or other surveillance systems around the ship’s perimeter that can alert crew members when someone is in danger of falling overboard.

Conclusion

Has anyone ever fallen overboard on a cruise ship? Yes, although these incidents are rare they do occur and it’s important for passengers to be aware of them before setting sail. Cruise lines must also take further steps for passenger safety by installing cameras or other surveillance systems around the ship’s perimeter that can alert crew members when someone is in danger of falling overboard.