Man Overboard: Do Not Act Foolishly On Your Cruise

Cruises are popular vacations. The ability to float about the ocean in a vessel that amounts to its own city is exhilarating, and it is the holiday of choice for many Americans. When a cruise ship is involved in an accident or has a mass illness on board, it always makes news. But what really happens when someone falls overboard, and how common is it? Not as common as you may think.

According to statistics, there were only 245 reported “man overboards” in the last 10 years. Of those, most were not accidental slips and falls. The majority of these people were not following safety protocols or were pushed overboard, either accidentally or intentionally.

To prevent these falls, cruise lines have safety features in place. There are minimum railing heights, minimum balcony heights, and barriers that are built onto decks to prevent anyone fooling around from falling off. No matter how many safety protocols are in place, some people will act recklessly, especially when there is alcohol involved. Should you take a cruise and find yourself treading water in the ocean, here is what will happen:

1. The captain of the ship will be notified as soon as the incident is known.
2. Sailors on the cruise are sent to the nearest deck to quickly assess the situation.
3. The ship will be slowed down and, in almost all cases, turned around.
4. The nearest local authorities are notified.
5. Lifeboats are deployed to search for the party.

The issue is rarely how fast people act or how quickly rescue boats can move. It is the time that it takes a large cruise ship to slow and turn, and how fast people notice that you have gone missing.

When you take a cruise, your safety is your responsibility. If you consume alcohol, do your best to behave appropriately. If you want to have a good time, don’t do it on the deck. Do not put yourself in a situation where you could fall overboard. While most people are found, some are not…you don’t want to be the one who isn’t.

If you have been involved in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and monetary losses. Call our expert team of personal injury attorneys today for a free case evaluation. We will tell you the best way to proceed and, if appropriate, will fight by your side in court. Call now.