How Often Does Someone Fall Overboard On A Cruise?

Between 2009 and 2019, there were 212 man overboard incidents on cruise ships, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). This number is significantly higher than the myths that passengers fall overboard during their cruise vacations. In 2019, the last full year of pre-Covid data, 25 people went overboard, according to a 2020 CLIA report.

On average, 20 to 25 people fall off cruise ships each year, with no specific statistics compiled by the U.S. government. However, when it does happen, what is involved and how does the crew feel when dealing with such an emergency? Of the 212 listed as overboard between 2009 and 2019, only 48 people were rescued.

Overboard incidents are extremely rare, with at least 386 people reported to have gone overboard, either voluntarily or by accident, from 2000 to 2020. From 2000 to 2016, within a span of 16 years, there were 270 fall-overboard cases reported by the cruise industry. An average of 19 people go overboard on cruise ships every year, industry data has found. Since 2010, cruise ships have been required to have a safety plan in place to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

In conclusion, while there are many myths about the circumstances that occur when someone falls overboard, the reality is that one or two people go overboard each month out of roughly 2.5 million who cruise during the same time frame. It is crucial for cruise ships to have a safety plan in place to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.