MAN OVER BOARD!

As yet another person has fallen overboard from a cruise ship, you have to ask the question? Are they safe? Is enough being done to keep passengers safe?

As I write this a poor lady has fallen overboard from the Pacific Dawn and a major search is now under way to try and find her. My heart goes out to the family waiting for news.

A crew member witnessed the woman fall over the side of the ship about 4pm AEST, 150 nautical miles west of New Caledonia, according to the ship’s owners P&O.

“A crew member notified the bridge straight away and the ‘man overboard’ incident response was activated immediately,” spokesman David Jones said in a statement.

“In line with this response, Pacific Dawn turned around to follow the course it was on at the time of the incident.”

All vessels in the area have been asked to assist in the search by The Australian Maritime Safety Bureau and New Caledonian authorities although apparently conditions in the search area are rough, with 3 to 4 metre swells and night having already fallen.

The Captain advised passengers they will continue to search until the person is found or until the coast guard calls off search.”

It is awful when things like this happen, but I think in all honesty cruise ships are actually very safe environments.

According to CruiseJunkie.com, which tracks incidents at sea, there were 22 man-overboard (“MOBs,” in cruise line lingo) incidents last year. And when you consider that 22.1 million people took a cruise In that year, that number is literally one in a million. In fact, there have only been 245 MOBs in the last decade. Around 40% of these are believed to be Suicides and unfortunately with the best will in the world you will not prevent someone who is determined to take their own life.

You of course need to be sensible and follow guidelines. Don’t act the fool and climb places you are not supposed to be, and keep your alcohol level to a reasonable amount so that you actually know what you are doing.

What do you think about it? Does it put you off cruising?

Do you think there is anything else the cruise lines could do to prevent these incidents?

I would love your feedback.