Man overboard! A sad week for cruising.

It has been a very sad week in the Cruise world with three persons feared drowned after falling over board on three separate ships.

Last week a crew member fell overboard on the Queen Mary II whilst sailing from Southampton to Halifax in Canada. The crew member (a man) was feared to have fallen overboard on Saturday Morning of last week. After several hours of searching the Queen Mary II, which retraced its route, had no choice but to continue her voyage and with agreement with the authorities had to presume that the man is now dead.

On Wednesday I received a message from a friend, whom has a friend currently on board the MSC Magnifica, they reported to me that the ship had to retrace it’s routes as there was an incident in the Eastern Med that a young lady guest from China had gone overboard. Again with the help of the local coastguard, there was no success in finding the lady whom had gone overboard. The ship was on her way to Izmir at the time and unfortunately due to the time spent searching, the ship had to miss this port and continue on to Istanbul for the next stop. I am sure though that guests on board would not have minded and preferred to have found the girl safe and sound, which sadly was not to be.

Then on the same day there was a report that a person had gone overboard on the Carnival Glory in the Honduran waters. This was a guest and not a crew member from reports, but no further information has yet been released.

From news reports I have read this is the 19th report of ‘man overboard’ this year alone, with only 8 rescued alive. Most of the time you do not really hear about these incidents, especially as many of them, sadly are crew members whom have taken their own lives. However, many are also passengers and it does make you wonder if it was a genuine accident, suicide or even a stunt gone wrong.

Here are some examples of ‘man overboard’ reports

January 2015 – Sapphire Princess – A poster at cruise critic reports a young man dived from deck 13 (reported) and the captain announced man overboard. A few people through life jackets to mark the stop. The ship turned and ribs and tenders were deployed and search lights. He was found alive and reports indicate he was thrown off at the next port with his family.

January 2015 – Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas – A Mexican newspaper reports that U.S. cruise passenger (22 year old male) from Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas fell overboard as the cruise ship sailed to Cozumel. The Disney Magic, sailing the same route, then rescued the passenger, identified as Frank Jade. The newspaper reports that the Oasis didn’t even realize that the passenger had gone overboard. After spotting the Royal Caribbean passenger floating in the sea, the Disney Magic stopped and lowered a rescue boat. The Magic reportedly docked at the dock of Punta Langosta and transferred the passenger to a private clinic for medical care.

Whatever may be the case, it is so very sad for the friends and families that are left behind and in many cases may not always have a body to take home.  May they all Rest in Peace and condolences to their families.

Dawn

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