Can You Survive Going Overboard On A Cruise Ship?

Going overboard on a cruise ship is extremely rare, with the majority of those who do not survive. Between 2009 and 2019, there were 212 overboard incidents on cruise ships. To survive going overboard, it is important to avoid panic, find anything that floats, fight dehydration, and create a distress signal. If you see someone fall or jump off a cruise ship, immediately throw them a flotation device if necessary. The survival rate after jumping off a cruise ship is around 25%, with factors such as speed, location, and injuries affecting the outcome. Jumpers may face legal consequences.

Reckless behavior, foul play, and intentional acts are almost impossible to avoid. Cruise lines must take measures to protect passengers from falling overboard, but only around 28% of instances result in survival. Survival rates depend on several factors, including whether the person was injured by impact with the water or part of the ship on the way down and how quickly the person died. Only 17% to 25% of fallen passengers survive.

Some laws, like the Cruise Vessel Safety Act, protect passengers, but when passengers fall overboard or become victims of a crime, the reality is much different than expected. Surviving going overboard on a cruise ship requires luck and skill. First, passengers must avoid injury during the fall and when they hit the water. The temperature of the sea is a major key to survival, and a better chance of being rescued alive if they fall into the water is higher.

Cruise ship crews are trained to respond to overboard incidents, but the survival rate is low. A 2020 study discovered that overboard incidents have a very low chance of survival if the passenger is found dead.