I was saddened to read in the cruise news this week that a lady has been reported to have gone overboard whilst travelling with Princess on the Grand. The passenger was seen at approximately 12pm on the 13th November and the search began for the missing American woman 750 miles of the Northeast of Hilo. The cruise ship changed course and began searching for the passenger but this really got me thinking. Does anyone actually survive from falling overboard and what on earth would you do if it happened to you. I picture myself on cruises in the past where I have been walking around on deck and peered over the side. I always think to myself how high up we are and how cold the sea looks but could you imagine if for any reason you slipped and plunged over what it would be like!!!
As I am a bit of a worrier and like to have plans for every eventuality I have looked up the best survival guides for falling overboard and decide to post on my blog. I feel safe in the knowledge now that for all my little passengers that I book on board a cruise I could be blogging them the inspiration that saves them if after one to many strawberry Daiquiris’ they slip and find themselves in deep water………so to speak. Joking aside here are some handy tips.
SURVIAL TIPS FOR FALLING OVERBOARD
- 1. After falling overboard make sure you make enough noise and movements such as throwing your arms in the air even shouting man overboard. The best odds of being rescued are right when it happens so the sooner someone spots you the better.
- 2. If you think you’re going overboard cover your face and mouth with both hands to avoid cold shock.
- 3. If you are not lucky enough to be wearing a floatation device then you’ll need to float or tread water. The best way to float is to lie back with your head above water. Arch your back and extend your arms to the side and let your legs float up.
- 4. Float to try and conserve as much energy as possible.
- 5. If you fall over and it is possible to do so try and grab onto something such as railings or other bearings anything to stop you entering the water.
- 6. Try not to walk out on deck alone as if you do fall overboard if there is another passenger there to see you then the alert can be raised much quicker.
Unfortunately the chances of you surviving are pretty slim. Stopping a cruise ship can take a while and spotting a man in the sea isn’t likely. Rescue boats are deployed as soon as possible and the ship is required to make a reasonable search for the victim but there are no regulations in place. The Man Overboard List on CruisePage.com notes that male cruisers are much more likely to go overboard than female are, and that the average age of passengers who go overboard is 41. Passengers are most likely to go overboard on the last night of their cruise, and many are found to be either drunk, climbing on the railings or jumping between balconies.
“Falling overboard does not necessarily mean you will die,” the website notes. “Ten people have been rescued, one after 18 hours in the water.”
All in all it must be a truly horrifying situation and one that most of us will never have to worry about. Cruising is one of the safest and most enjoyable ways to travel so take care and enjoy.