Dad jumps in to save daughter who fell overboard on Disney cruise
A child reportedly fell overboard on a Disney cruise. Her dad jumped in after her.
Disney cruise rescue credit: Janice Martin-Asuque
Scripps News – WFTS Tampa
- A child and their father were rescued after going overboard on the Disney Dream cruise ship.
- Some overboard detection systems use technology like thermal cameras and micro radars.
- The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 requires passenger vessels to integrate overboard detection technology where available.
Two Disney Cruise Line passengers were rescued over the weekend after a child went overboard and her father jumped in after her. The June 29 incident took place during a Bahamas cruise on the Disney Dream ship.
“The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water,” a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson previously told USA TODAY in a statement. “We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
Disney ships are equipped with overboard detection systems, which are specifically designed for such instances. Here’s what to know.
What are cruise overboard detection systems?
The technology is aimed at cutting down on response times by notifying crew as soon as a person goes overboard. At least one such system utilizes thermal cameras and micro radars to detect these types of incidents.
The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 requires that passenger vessels operating in the United States “integrate technology that can be used for capturing images of passengers or detecting passengers who have fallen overboard, to the extent that such technology is available.”
How many cruise ships have overboard detection systems?
While Disney’s entire fleet is equipped with overboard detection systems, many other cruise lines have not previously disclosed that information. Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about how many ships have installed the technology.
Brian Salerno, then CLIA’s senior vice president of global maritime policy, told USA TODAY in 2023 that there weren’t any reliable products of that kind available at the time the CVSSA was passed. Multiple companies have worked to develop more dependable technology in the years since.
He said a number of ships had installed them but declined to name specific lines.
How common are cruise ship overboard incidents?
There were 212 overboard incidents involving passengers and crew around the world from 2009 to 2019, according to statistics compiled for CLIA by consulting firm G.P. Wild (International) Limited and reviewed by USA TODAY. Just 48 people were rescued.
There have been other such incidents in recent years on a number of ships, including those operated by Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and more.
“I’ll stress that people don’t just fall over the side,” Salerno previously said. “There are railings and they’re pretty high. It’s almost always the result of an intentional act.”
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
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