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Woman feared she'd die and 'never be found' after plunging 60ft off ferry into sea

Jeni Anderson relived her horrifying fall into freezing waters in Channel 4's Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard

• 17:54, 4 Mar 2020
• Updated 18:01, 4 Mar 2020

A woman who fell overboard a ferry 60ft into freezing waters has relived her terrifying ordeal nine years on, convinced she was going to die.

Jeni Anderson, who was 23 at the time, went overboard on ferry while travelling from Newcastle to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on a trip celebrating graduating from university in 2011.

But just 20 miles from the Yorkshire Coast, Jeni toppled overboard and fell 60ft into the sea.

The fall left her semi-conscious, with it said to be a miracle she even survived.

It's then that her terrifying ordeal really began, with her fighting for her survival - hoping someone would find her.

Speaking about what happened to her on Channel 4's Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard, Jeni relived believing she was going to die and "never be found".

Jeni had been on the deck of the boat when suddenly she fell, and found herself in the dark and cold sea below.

Not knowing if the ferry would come back for her, she made the decision to attempt to swim towards the nearest land - while those on board with her alerted the captain for help.

Jeni revealed of her ordeal: "I could just see the lights of the ferry although that disappeared after a while. I was on my own and didn't know whether the ferry would come back and find me. I was definitely afraid for my life.

"I was upset, I was crying, I was shouting, I was screaming. I kept trying to stay above the water and I did get to the point where I had fully accepted, 'This is it, I’m going to die. I will never be found'."

Jeni went on: "It was about, 'How do I make this OK? I'm not just going to stay here and let it happen. I'll fight to the end.'

"It was almost like pick a direction in the hope that eventually, that becomes shoreline or coast.

"Towards the end I wasn't necessarily swimming, I was just not drowning. It was becoming a real effort to just stay alive."

Thankfully Jeni was found, and rescued by a lifeboat after she was heard in the water. She was then airlifted to hospital after being in the water for around thirty minutes.

Jeni physically recovered, but confessed she has a fear of water following the traumatic event.

Channel 4's Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard is available to watch on All 4.

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Women, 23, who fell 60ft from ferry into freezing sea reveals ‘I accepted I was going to die and never be found’

• Holly Christodoulou
• Published : 14:21 ET, Mar 4 2020
• Published : Invalid Date,

A WOMAN has revealed how she accepted she was going to die and "never be found" after plunging 60ft from a ferry into freezing water.

Jenny Anderson was celebrating graduating from university with a trip from Newcastle to Amsterdam when she toppled overboard.

After miraculously surviving the 60ft fall, Jenny was left semi-conscious in the freezing water 20 miles from the Yorkshire Coast.

Opening up about her ordeal on Channel 4's Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard, she said: "I could just see the lights of the ferry although that disappeared after a while.

"I was on my own and didn’t know whether the ferry would come back and find me. I was definitely afraid for my life.

"I was upset, I was crying, I was shouting, I was screaming. I kept trying to stay above the water and I did get to the point where I had fully accepted: 'This is it, I’m going to die. I will never be found'."

'EFFORT TO STAY ALIVE'

Jenny had been stood on the deck looking out at the sea when she said she found herself in the water with the ferry lights in the distance.

She admitted she "had a drink" before the fall but said there was "no way" she could have survived if she had been drunk.

After 30 minutes alone in the pitch black water, Jenny started to swim towards shore.

She said: "It was about, 'How do I make this OK? I'm not just going to stay here and let it happen. I'll fight to the end.'

"It was almost like pick a direction in the hope that eventually, that becomes shoreline or coast.

"Towards the end I wasn't necessarily swimming, I was just not drowning. It was becoming a real effort to just stay alive."

Thankfully for Jenny, the people she was with alerted the captain after she went overboard and the vessel managed to backtrack to try to find her.

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After hearing Jenny in the water, a lifeboat was sent out to rescue her and managed to find her on their final attempt.

Jenny was airlifted to hospital semi-conscious after being in the water for around thirty minutes.

She is now terrified of water - even something as tranquil as a boating lake.

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Women, 23, who fell 60ft from ferry into freezing sea reveals ‘I accepted I was going to die and never be found’

• Holly Christodoulou
• Published : 16:20, 4 Mar 2020
• Updated : 16:26, 4 Mar 2020
• Published : Invalid Date,

A WOMAN has revealed how she accepted she was going to die and "never be found" after plunging 60ft from a ferry into freezing water.

Jenny Anderson was celebrating graduating from university with a trip from Newcastle to Amsterdam when she toppled overboard.

After miraculously surviving the 60ft fall, Jenny was left semi-conscious in the freezing water 20 miles from the Yorkshire Coast.

Opening up about her ordeal on Channel 4's Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard, she said: "I could just see the lights of the ferry although that disappeared after a while.

"I was on my own and didn’t know whether the ferry would come back and find me. I was definitely afraid for my life.

"I was upset, I was crying, I was shouting, I was screaming. I kept trying to stay above the water and I did get to the point where I had fully accepted: 'This is it, I’m going to die. I will never be found'."

'EFFORT TO STAY ALIVE'

Jenny had been stood on the deck looking out at the sea when she said she found herself in the water with the ferry lights in the distance.

She admitted she "had a drink" before the fall but said there was "no way" she could have survived if she had been drunk.

After 30 minutes alone in the pitch black water, Jenny started to swim towards shore.

She said: "It was about, 'How do I make this OK? I'm not just going to stay here and let it happen. I'll fight to the end.'

"It was almost like pick a direction in the hope that eventually, that becomes shoreline or coast.

"Towards the end I wasn't necessarily swimming, I was just not drowning. It was becoming a real effort to just stay alive."

Thankfully for Jenny, the people she was with alerted the captain after she went overboard and the vessel managed to backtrack to try to find her.

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After hearing Jenny in the water, a lifeboat was sent out to rescue her and managed to find her on their final attempt.

Jenny was airlifted to hospital semi-conscious after being in the water for around thirty minutes.

She is now terrified of water - even something as tranquil as a boating lake.

In Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard, Jenny says she had fully accepted she was going to die and she'd never be found. Two million Brits will enjoy a touch of luxury and relaxation on a cruise this year.

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Channel 4 probes case of missing Chester cruise ship worker Rebecca Coriam

Documentary says worldwide one person goes overboard from a passenger ship every two weeks

• 10:54, 4 MAR 2020
• Updated 17:34, 4 MAR 2020

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Channel 4 programme Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard shone a light on the investigation into the disappearance of Chester cruise ship worker Rebecca Coriam in 2011.

There are still no clear answers about what happened to the 24-year-old from Guilden Sutton who is presumed to have gone overboard from the Disney ship.

But the show, which looked at a number of case studies, found a common thread.

Presenter Morland Sanders said: “This year 2m of us will enjoy a touch of luxury and relaxation on a cruise. For many it’s the holiday of a lifetime. But what the glossy ads don’t tell you is that worldwide every two weeks someone goes overboard from a passenger ship. Some survive to tell the tale.

“But others are lost at sea forever. And all too often when someone does go overboard it’s a story of a flawed investigation and mystery haunting the high seas.”

Rebecca’s role on board the Disney Wonder was to look after children and she had regarded it as her dream job. But then her parents Mike and Ann received a call from Disney saying their daughter had gone missing.

Former Met detective Roy Ramm, who has decades of experience in British policing, has been investigating the case on behalf of the family.

He told the show: “The really troubling thing is we don’t know everything that happened on that ship because there’s been no inquest. All kinds of explanations are being given about what happened but none of them make any sense.

“She was seen wearing clothing that wasn’t hers, she spoke to a friend who said she was deeply distressed and shortly after that we don’t see her any more until the next day she’s reported missing by her colleagues.”

The show was told there were well established procedures for a missing person. An initial search of the ship is carried out. If they are not found, the Coastguard is notified who carry out a search of the ocean.

Quite often the cruise ship will not turn back – as happened with the Disney Wonder which proceeded to its next destination in Mexico.

But the Mexicans did not carry out the investigation as the ship was reported to be in international waters when Rebecca disappeared.

Being registered in The Bahamas, a single police officer was flown out from the Commonwealth country with its limited resources. The Bahamas has a population of just 400,000 but more than 100 cruise ships fly its flag because it is a tax haven.     

Mr Ramm described the standard of the investigation as ‘shocking’. The detective superintendent only spent a total of 37 hours on the vessel. Viewers were told Rebecca’s parents also viewed the inquiry as ‘cursory’.

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“They were quickly shown to Rebecca’s cabin. They saw things in there which they were surprised that the investigating officer hadn’t taken away,” said Mr Ramm.

“They saw some of Rebecca’s clothing, which was torn and stained. They saw her laptop, all of which to me, an investigating officer, with the degree of uncertainty around the circumstances, should have seized, should have been in his possession, should have been subject to proper forensic examination.”

Mr Ramm said the family ought to have been kept informed about the investigation and given the opportunity to ask questions in an attempt to help bring closure but this hadn’t happened.

There were two theories about Rebecca’s disappearance. The official explanation was that ‘a freak wave’ knocked Rebecca off the vessel but Mr Ramm said weather conditions at the time were inconsistent with that supposition.

The other suspicion was that Rebecca, a former Chester Catholic High School student, had taken her own life. CCTV footage of her on deck suggested she was distraught following an incident involving colleagues pinpointed by the family’s investigators.

An interim police report has been kept from the Coriams. Feeling justice had not been done, Rebecca’s parents threatened Disney with legal action. However, a settlement was agreed which included a non-disclosure agreement although Mike and Ann Coriam continue to campaign for a UK based inquiry.

“We know at one point she was in a state of distress, but we don’t know how she lost her life,” said Mr Ramm. “A proper inquest would give so much more relief to the family, to understand what happened to Rebecca.”

The Royal Bahamas Police Force declined to comment on the programme’s findings.    

■ Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard is still available to view on the Channel 4 website.

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Nightmare Cruises: Going Overboard

A cruise is often the holiday of a lifetime, but it can turn into tragedy, because once a fortnight, somewhere in the world, someone is expected to go overboard from a passenger ship. But what are your chances of survival, and is enough being done to prevent and investigate overboard incidents?

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The public may never know the full details surrounding the death of a passenger who reportedly jumped from the world’s largest cruise ship earlier this month.

Under maritime law, Royal Caribbean is not obligated to release the findings of its investigation into the death of the passenger on the Icon of the Seas.

The law allows the company, and other cruise lines — to downplay details that might cast them in a negative light, said Florida-based lawyer Keith Brais, whose firm specializes in injuries and incidents at sea.

“They wouldn’t even need to report on how much alcohol might have been involved if it makes them look bad,” he told The Post.

Royal Caribbean has not commented on the specific details of the incident and has only expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased.

The US Coast Guard in Miami said it assisted with the search, but it is not involved in the investigation into the passenger’s death.

Deaths on cruise ships are rare — but unique circumstances of a floating city in international waters — the Icon of the Seas can carry up to 7,000 people — means that they are not handled like deaths on land.

What happens to someone who dies on a cruise ship?

When an unidentified man jumped from Royal Caribbean’s new 1,200-foot-long Icon of the Seas on the first day of a seven-day voyage on Sunday, a rescue boat from the ship found him and brought him back aboard.

Passengers were initially told that the man was in the intensive care unit, but the Coast Guard confirmed to The Post that he died.

The Icon of the Seas proceeded on its voyage around the Gulf of Mexico after the incident.

It’s not clear where the man’s body is now, but it was likely taken to the ship’s morgue until it can be transferred to authorities on land, Brais said.

The ship has stopped in Honduras and Mexico, and is set for one more port of call in the Bahamas before it returns to Miami on Saturday.

Who investigates deaths at sea?

While the US Coast Guard assisted Royal Caribbean in the search and rescue of the man who fell overboard, officials said it was the cruise line’s rescue boat that ultimately found and transported the body, and it would be up to the company to investigate the case.

Brais said Royal Caribbean is not required to release its findings to the public, adding that it is rare for a company to publish anything that could make them seem liable for the death.

“As a result, the cruise line is likely to find that the passenger’s death resulted from ‘natural causes,’ even if the totality of the circumstances at hand suggests otherwise,” according to his law firm.

Braise noted that in his decades of experience in the industry and law, alcohol is involved in the majority of cases.

Royal Caribbean did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.

Does the family have any recourse about the investigation?

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety act, which was passed in 2010, mandates that cruises not only follow strict regulations to ensure passengers are safe, but to also track crimes aboard their ships.

In regards to Sunday’s incident, Brais said the man’s family should look at whether Royal had the proper barriers in place to keep people from falling overboard and if they had Man-Overboard cameras installed that alerted them to the incident.

Even if Royal Caribbean was found to be negligent in the man’s death, the compensation could be limited to just covering funeral expenses under the Death of the High Seas Act, Brais added.

How common are deaths on cruise ships?

It can be difficult to determine how many deaths have occurred on cruise ships as it’s up to the companies to report such incidents.

According to the Department of Transportation’s Cruise Line Incident reports, there have only been four deaths aboard major cruise lines between January 2020 to March 2024.

Despite these numbers, Brais said it’s not rare for such man overboard stories to make headlines once every three weeks.

According to cruise expert Dr. Ross Klein, who maintains a master list of media reports of incidents where passengers have gone overboard, there have been at least 410 people who have fallen off cruises or ferries in the last 24 years.

Icon of the Seas death is the second so far this year aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. In April, a drunk 20-year-old passenger reportedly jumped to his death from the Liberty of the Seas following a dispute with his father.

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5 Cruise Specific Nightmares (And How to Avoid Them)

Caroline Morse Teel

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline .

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The viral video of a woman getting stuck on a waterslide suspended over the ocean aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship got us thinking about nightmare situations that can only happen on a cruise ship. 

From minor inconveniences like seasickness to bigger disasters, here’s how to avoid falling victim to five terrifying ship-specific scenarios.

Getting Stuck in a Waterslide Over the Ocean

Anyone with even the smallest amount of claustrophobia started sweating watching the recent video of a woman getting stuck in a section of the cruise ship’s enclosed water slide that was suspended over the ocean. However, the solution to not getting trapped in a waterslide might scare you even more—wear as little clothing as possible. 

According to Royal Caribbean , the trick to smoothly and quickly making it down a slide is opting for a small swimsuit (like a speedo) as more fabric (like rash guards or bathing suits with more coverage) will cause more friction and slow you down. 

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Missing the Boat

You’ve spent hundreds or thousands of dollars on your dream cruise, but if you miss the boat, all that money will go down the drain—and you’ll have to pay even more to get yourself home. 

Cruise ships wait for no passengers, so never fly into port on the day that your cruise ship is scheduled to depart—if your flight is delayed or canceled, it’s highly likely that you’ll miss the boat. Always fly in a day or two early to give yourself a buffer (and to be able to explore the port city).

Likewise, when you’re off the boat for an excursion, be sure to double-check what time you have to be back, and plan to arrive well before the departure in case you run into traffic or other unexpected delays.

Falling Overboard

Man-overboard incidents are extremely rare on cruise ships. Cruise ships are specifically designed to prevent people from falling overboard, with safety measures like high railings and other barriers in plance. According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLA), there were 212 man-overboard incidents between 2009 and 2019. 

Falling overboard is extremely preventable on a cruise ship. Avoid drinking excessively (which can cause impaired judgment and coordination) and never climb or sit on railings on a cruise ship. Stay inside when there is bad weather or rough seas. 

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Getting Seasick

Nauseous, vomiting, and dizzy—not exactly how you want to spend your vacation at sea. Unfortunately, if you’re prone to seasickness, this is how you might feel on a cruise. 

Follow these tips to avoid getting seasick:

• Pick a larger boat that is equipped with stabilizers, to minimize how much you’ll feel motion on board
• Skip itineraries that spend a lot of time crossing open ocean (opt for a Caribbean cruise vs. a transatlantic one, for example) 
• Choose a cabin in the middle of the ship on a lower deck
• Get fresh air
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid alcohol
• Try medications—both prescription and over-the-counter medicines are available to combat seasickness, so check with your doctor about which one is right for you before leaving for your trip
• Eat small amounts of bland food

At-Sea Quarantine

Whether it’s COVID-19 or Norovirus, viruses can spread quickly among large groups in enclosed spaces (like a cruise ship). If you come down with a contagious disease, you’ll likely be quarantined in your cabin for the remainder of the cruise, which will definitely put a damper on your vacation.

To avoid getting sick at sea, follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines :

• Wash your hands often
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink lots of water
• Leave the area if you see someone get sick
• Wear a well-fitting mask indoors and in crowded spaces
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

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8pm, channel 4.

According to this worrying doc, once a fortnight someone on a passenger ship is expected to go overboard, turning a relaxing cruise into a potential tragedy. We hear from experts on the chances of survival in the cold, open waters, as well as how these incidents could be prevented. AK

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15 nightmarish facts that will make you never want to set foot on a cruise ship

• Cruise ships can be wonderful, but they aren't exempt from disturbing occurrences.
• Cruise ships are legally required to have morgues aboard.
• Overflowing toilets aren't as uncommon as you'd hope.

Cruise ships sound like a luxurious way to knock a few locations off your bucket list — at their best, they're paradisiacal wonderlands, filled with interesting people from all walks of life, mountainous buffets, and a plethora of activities.

But sometimes, they can go very, very wrong.

Some cruise ships have been given failing grades by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After reading reports about overflowing sewage, secret morgues, and bedbug infestations, you might think they sound more sinister than you had previously realized.

From sinkings to sewage, here are 15 horrible facts about cruise ships that may keep you firmly on land.

The chances of a ship sinking is slim, but it's not an impossibility.

In 2013, The New York Times reported that 16 cruise ships sank between 1980 and 2012.

The ships that sink generally either travel through rough waters — such as the Antarctic Ocean — or belong to smaller cruise lines. One of the most fatal ship sinkings occurred in 1994, when 800 people died on a ship that sank in the Baltic Sea, the Times reported.

One of the most famous sinkings in recent history was that of the Costa Concordia. In 2012, the Italian cruise ship hit rocks off Giglio Island, partially sinking and killing 32 people. Its captain was found guilty of manslaughter in 2015. He denied the charges.

In fact, the ship only partially sank and, more accurately, ran aground. This is a more common scenario, according to The New York Times' report. Cruise expert Ross A. Klein told the publication that 98 cruise ships ran aground between 1972 and 2011, or  about 2.5 ships every year .

What's more common than sinking is a ship getting stranded.

Though cruise trips are built with relaxation in mind, the journey isn't always smooth.

In March 2019, over 1,300 passengers were left stranded when the Viking Sky luxury cruise ship ran into engine troubles off the coast of Norway. Over 400 people had to be rescued from the boat , of which 28 people were transported to hospital. 

"Throughout all of this, our first priority was for the safety and well-being of our passengers and our crew," the cruise line said in a statement after the incident, according to USA Today . "We would like to thank the Norwegian Redningssentral and the Norwegian emergency services for their support and skill displayed in managing the situation in very challenging weather conditions."

Unfortunately, there have been reported incidences of deaths on cruises.

It sounds macabre, but it happens — and more often than you'd think. According to a 2023 report from  Newsweek , a study published in the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health found that there were 623 reported deaths on cruise ships between 2000 and 2019. 

The study concluded that, for passengers, falls were the most common cause of cruise deaths, followed by cardiac arrests and suicides. For crew members, suicide, murder, and falls were the leading causes of death.

Cruise ships are required to have morgues on board.

Cruise ships are legally required to carry body bags and maintain a morgue — they typically have space for three or four bodies, depending on the size of the ship, The Telegraph reported in 2015.

A Carnival spokesperson told Cruise Critic in 2020 that its cruise line also has a "Care Team" whose members are specifically trained to deal with grieving passengers.

The size of the morgue depends on the size of the ship. Should there not be enough space, crew members may have to get creative. In 2017, a person who identified themselves as a former cruise-ship employee on Reddit broke down what happens when someone on a ship dies.

"There were small refrigerators on the ships that, from memory, could take one or two corpses, but the contingency plan was to use a walk-in freezer," the poster wrote.

Overflowing toilets aren't uncommon.

Toilets can overflow on cruise ships. In 2017,  Reddit user Phantomsplit , who claims to have worked on cruise ships, wrote, "You would be amazed at what people will flush down the toilet. Pool noodles, t-shirts, shoes...pretty much anything that people don't want to pack with them when they leave."

According to the Daily Mail , in 2013, one Carnival cruise ship flew passengers home a few days into a voyage after it experienced a variety of complications, including overflowing toilets. Gregg Stark, a passenger who anticipated a week-long trip with his wife and children, reported that he saw what he described as "human waste" all over some of the ship's bathroom floors.

Carnival released a statement and referred to the toilet issue as an "interruption" to "restroom service." Passengers were refunded for three days of the trip and given a 50 percent discount for their next trip with the cruise line.

Cruise ships dump huge amounts of sewage into the ocean.

While many cruise lines have installed advanced wastewater-treatment systems, according to a 2022 report by environmental organization Friends of the Earth, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a 3,000-person cruise ship emits 150,000 gallons of sewage each week, which amounts to over 1 billion gallons of sewage a year across the cruise industry. 

Sewage can be harmful to both humans and sea creatures. According to the organization's report , "Seafood consumers, beachgoers, surfers, and water sport enthusiasts can contract illnesses, gastrointestinal diseases, diarrhea, ear nose and throat problems, vomiting, hepatitis, and respiratory diseases, when exposed to sewage- contaminated waters or seafood."

Further, marine life "can suffocate due to surplus nitrogen and phosphorous from ship sewage that can promote excessive algal growth which reduces available oxygen levels in the water," according to the report.

In addition to polluting the ocean, cruise ships emit pollution into the air.

Many cruise companies have made attempts to institute more eco-friendly practices, but a 2016 report by German NGO NABU said European cruise ships were pumping out 3,500 times more sulphur dioxide than vehicles on land, The Telegraph reported.

Daniel Rieger, a researcher at NABU, told the publication that cruise ships are "damaging global climate and human health."

NABU also found that air quality on cruise ships can be around 20 times worse than air in a busy city center .

Fires and explosions can — and have — happened.

According to a 2015 report from research firm G.P. Wild, approximately 60 people per year are injured on cruise ships due to "operational mishaps," which can range from small fires on the ship to actual explosions, collisions, and ships sinking or getting stranded.

In 2022, part of a Carnival cruise ship erupted into flames while it was docked in Grand Turk island. Soon after the incident, Carnival's public relations manager, Matt Lupoli, announced that all passengers and crew members were safe.

Keeping food fresh can be tough.

Cruise ships must feed thousands of people multiple times a day, and do so with food that's stored on board for the duration of the cruise.

Nearly 200 passengers on board one of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships  contracted a gastrointestinal illness after indulging in the "bottomless brunch" in December 2017.

In regards to the issue, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, "We hope all our guests feel better. Meanwhile, we're taking steps like intensive sanitary procedures to minimise the risk of any further issues."

Around 129,678 cruise-ship guests contracted a gastrointestinal illness between the years 2008 to 2014, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

In the span of eight years, 150 people went overboard on cruises and ferries.

According to a report released for the Cruise Lines International Association in 2016 by G.P. Wild, between 2009 and 2016, an average of approximately 19 people go overboard on cruise ships and ferries each year. Over that period, there were 150 overboard incidents — and the person who went overboard was only rescued in about one fourth of incidents.

Cruise ships are certainly not exempt from crime.

Although cruises are supposed to provide passengers with an escape from reality, crime still occurs at sea.

In 2016 alone, 70 percent of alleged crimes on cruise ships were sexual assaults — there were 62 reported sexual assaults  out of 92 total alleged crimes, NBC News reported.

Pirate attacks aren't just in the movies.

While rare, pirate attacks do happen.

In 2005, a Seabourn Cruise Lines ship that had 150 passengers on board  managed to evade an attack by armed Somali pirates.

In 2009, the Piracy Reporting Center of the International Maritime Bureau claimed that pirates along the coast of Somalia had attacked a whopping 214 vessels that year , which resulted in 47 hijackings. 

According to The Telegraph, in 2017, passengers on the Sea Princess departing from Sydney were subjected to a 10-day dusk-til-dawn blackout to avoid a perceived pirate threat.

Bedbugs and other pests often find their way onboard.

"What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation turned into a nightmare!" Cruise Critic user gordon046 wrote after discovering bedbugs on their cruise in 2016.

Bedbugs aren't always the fault of the cruise line — according to Vance Gulliksen , a spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines, bed bugs are often brought onto the a ship through passengers' luggage. 

When cruise ships lose power, it can affect the sewage system.

Power outages on ships can lead to various problems.

The Carnival Triumph cruise ship famously caught fire and subsequently lost power in the Gulf of Mexico in February 2013. For five days, passengers were subjected to raw, rising sewage after the plumbing system collapsed, propelling the media to nickname the debacle " The Poop Cruise ."

The 3,143 passengers aboard the ship reported scarce electricity, water shortages, dwindling food supplies, and "sewage running down the walls and floors." Eventually, the Triumph was towed to Mobile, Alabama.

According to Business Insider , Carnival offered passengers refunds, credits to put toward future cruises, and $500. 

Cruise ships can become hot spots for the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19.

With thousands of people living in close quarters, sharing amenities, and unable to escape the premises, the conditions of a cruise ship can be the perfect environment for the spread of contagious diseases. The CDC's website has a page dedicated to cruise-ship travel to warn prospective passengers of — and help them prepare for — the elevated risk of infection on the vessels.  

One of the first documented COVID-19 outbreaks occurred on a Carnival cruise ship. In February 2020, when little was known about COVID-19, Carnival Cruise's Diamond Princess ship became a vector for the spread of the illness . Ultimately, over 700 of the Diamond Princess' 2,666 passengers tested positive for the virus. 

On February 27, 2020, Princess Cruises put out a statement which detailed its proposed solution to the issue, saying it had hired a medical firm to provide care — including daily health checks, laundry, and meals — for passengers at a quarantine facility in Japan.

When the Centers for Disease Control began tracking the virus in the United States, one of its first reports stated that about 17% of known cases in the US were recent cruise passengers.

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Cruise tragedies: 4 times passengers fell overboard, turning vacations into nightmares

One cruise passenger was rescued on thanksgiving after being in the ocean nearly a day.

Passenger details nightmare on cruise ship: 'We felt trapped'

Kathleen Meenan, a passenger on Carnival Sunshine, shares how the ship was battered by 80 mph winds and rough waters on 'America Reports.'

The peak season for cruises is underway with many families eager to plan short getaways while kids are on summer vacation.

While cruise ships have made major advancements in passenger safety, an average of 19 people have fallen overboard per year between 2009 and 2019, according to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association. Of those who've fallen overboard, only a small number are rescued.

Here's a look at some recent incidents involving passengers falling overboard:

MAN FALLS FROM CRUISE SHIP OFF FLORIDA COAST: 'LIFE OF THE PARTY'

May 29, 2023

Ronnie Lee Peale Jr., 35, fell overboard from the Carnival Magic cruise ship May 29 around 186 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida.

Ronnie Lee Peale Jr. (GoFundMe)

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines told Fox News Digital security video shows the man leaning over the railing of his balcony and falling into the water at 4:10 a.m. Later that afternoon, his companion reported him missing, according to the spokesperson.

A GoFundMe created by Peale's fiancée, Jennilyn Blosser, says it was his "first cruise."

"We went on a cruise to celebrate my birthday and sadly he went overboard and still has not been recovered. Please keep our family in your prayers and thanks for your support. This was Ronnie’s first cruise and thankfully he had a great time and made plenty of friends. He is our social butterfly that was always on the move and loved to make friends with everyone," Blosser wrote.

COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR MAN WHO FELL OVERBOARD FROM CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP NEAR FLORIDA

Cruise ship Carnival Magic departing Port Canaveral, Fla. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Coast Guard suspended its search June 1 after searching more than 5,171 square miles.

"The Seventh Coast Guard District dispatched multiple search and rescue assets as soon as we were notified of the missing person. Our command center watchstanders provided search patterns to cutter crews and air crews who actively searched from Monday through Wednesday evening," Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper, Coast Guard District Seven search and rescue mission coordinator, said in a statement. 

VIRGIN CRUISE PASSENGER FALLS FROM BALCONY AND LATER DIES

April 2, 2023

A passenger onboard the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady died after falling from a balcony April 2, according to a spokesperson for the company.

"Yesterday evening, shortly after departure, there was a medical emergency involving one of our passengers," the spokesperson said. "This passenger went over their balcony onto a lower deck and, despite receiving immediate medical attention, has passed away."

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady moored at Liverpool Cruise Terminal (Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images)

Following the incident, the ship returned to its departure port in Miami, Florida.

"We are deeply saddened by this loss of life, and our hearts and thoughts are with this person’s loved ones," the Virgin Voyages spokesperson said.

COAST GUARD SUSPENDS SEARCH FOR MISSING AUSTRALIAN CRUISE PASSENGER WHO WENT OVERBOARD HAWAII-BOUND SHIP

April 26, 2023

An Australian passenger onboard Royal Caribbeans Quantum of the Seas went missing after going overboard April 25.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a report regarding a missing person around 11:03 p.m. April 25, and the cruise remained within the area where the person went overboard to search for two hours before resuming the cruise.

The Coast Guard said the search was being conducted 500 miles south of Kailua-Kona, Big Island.

In this March 14, 2020, file photo, a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship is docked at PortMiami in Miami.   (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Kevin Cooper, a search and rescue mission coordinator for the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu, said April 27 the search was suspended.

"After reviewing all relevant information of the case and discussing it with the next of kin, the Coast Guard has made the difficult decision to suspend the active search for the passenger aboard the Quantum of the Seas," Cooper said.

November 23, 2022

James Grimes went overboard from the Carnival Valor cruise ship just one day before Thanksgiving Nov. 23, 2022, according to WWL.

He was reported missing after leaving a bar to use the restroom close to 11 p.m.

FOX 8 New Orleans reported the missing passenger was rescued around 8:25 p.m. Thanksgiving night after going missing nearly a day.

He was discovered around 20 miles south of the Southwest Pass, which is a channel south of Louisiana located at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER HAD SECONDS LEFT 'BEFORE WE LOST HIM COMPLETELY,' COAST GUARD DIVER SAYS

The Coast Guard airlifted a Carnival cruise ship passenger who fell overboard into the Gulf of Mexico Thursday.  (Coast Guard)

U.S. Coast Guard aviation survival technician Richard Hoefle told WWL Grimes had little energy left when he was found.

"Mr. Grimes had nothing left. He had no energy. He had nothing left to give," Hoefle said. "My best guess is that he had between a minute and 30 seconds left before we lost him completely." 

Fox News' Louis Casiano, Greg Wehner, and Greg Norman contributed to this report.

Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @asabes10.

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• Cruise News

World Cruise Delayed Again by Failed Inspection, Passengers Left Waiting

Andrea Santillan

• June 6, 2024

The 1,301-day residential world cruise, with fares of up to $500,000, has been delayed for the third time. Citing inspection issues, the sailing date has been pushed to June 15 to accommodate extended dry dock repairs.

Timeline of Villa Vie Odyssey

• April 28 : Odyssey enters dry dock in Belfast, Ireland
• May 15: The scheduled embarkation date pushed to late May for additional work
• May 30: Embarkation rescheduled to June 4 because a wastewater tank failed inspection
• June 4: Embarkation rescheduled to June 15 to replace rudder post for inspection
• June 15: TBD

What is a rudder post?

The rudder post is a critical part of a ship’s steering system. It connects the rudder to the steering gear and transmits the force needed to turn the rudder. Positioned vertically through the hull, the rudder post enables the rudder to pivot and effectively control the ship’s direction.

Though the current rudder post was said to be grandfathered in for operation, VVR was advised that it needed to be changed before the ship could pass inspection.

Villa Vie Odyssey

Villa Vie Residences bought the ship previously known as MS Braemar from Fred. Olsen Cruises last December. In April 2024, work at the Harland & Wolff dry dock in Belfast began. A photo sent to our tip line on Tuesday shows the ship is still out of the water.

With one of the longest cruise itineraries, the Odyssey must be in excellent shape for its 3.5-year sailing.

Aside from Fred. Olsen, the vessel has changed ownership several times. Its other owners include Crown Cruise Line, Cunard Line, Majesty Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Commodore Cruise Line.

Villa Vie Assists Guests

Meanwhile, the company has assisted guests in Ireland with housing, transportation, and excursions as they await the Odyssey.

The cruise line’s terms and conditions mention that passengers can get a refund if the voyage is delayed by over two weeks.

Counting the days from May 15 to June 15, the cruise has been canceled for a month, so per the contract, the passengers can ask for their money back.

After the high-profile flop of Life at Sea Cruises in late 2023, many are skeptical that the vessel will make it out of dry dock this summer.

However, if VVR succeeds in getting the Odyssey out to sea, it will be one of the longest continuous sailings.

It will surpass Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, 274 nights long. Similarly, Regent Seven Seas has a global voyage planned for 2026 , but it’s still shorter at 154 nights.

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Everything that happens when someone falls overboard on a cruise ship

Cruise ship crews are trained to respond to someone going overboard, but the survival rate is low..

While the number of people who go overboard on cruise ships is very low, it's still higher than the ideal figure of zero.

Of the millions of people who pay to hop aboard a cruise ship, the number of those who fall overboard is about one or two a month.

Between 2009 and 2019, a total of 212 cruise ship passengers were listed as going overboard, and sadly the survival rate is not great.

Of those 212 people who went into the water only 48 survived, so one of the more common things which happens when someone falls overboard on a cruise ship is that they sadly die.

A report from the Cruise Lines International Association about people falling overboard between 2009 and 2019 found that passengers had a 0.00004 percent chance of falling from the ship.

While it's unlikely to happen, the crew of ships are well drilled for such an emergency and have certain procedures in place.

Man Overboard!

The cry of 'man overboard' is actually gender neutral, and is a universally recognised maritime call.

Whomever sees a person falling overboard should be using that as their shout to try and alert crew members to what's just happened, as time is of the essence.

If you hear this phrase over the ship's announcement system, then it means someone has gone overboard.

You might hear 'Code Oscar', the word 'Oscar' repeated or hear the crew members talking about 'Mr Mob', which is code for 'man overboard'.

At this point it's best to get out of the way and let them handle things as the tannoy announcement means it'll be public knowledge.

Log the location

The seas are vast and often lack distinctive features, while a cruise ship itself can hardly slam the brakes on and end up pretty much where it was.

Stopping a ship or turning it back to where it was takes a lot of time, so instead it's vital for the crew to log the location they were in when they were alerted that someone had gone overboard.

This will help the search and rescue efforts have a starting point.

Begin the search

From there the ship will turn around and return to the spot it just marked as it's going to be the closest vessel which can respond.

The cruise ship will notify other vessels in the area, which will be required to come and help in the search.

Meanwhile, the ship's crew will put their training to work and scour the sea for signs of someone going overboard.

The ship will have smaller craft which can be deployed to get over to somebody in the water, and search efforts can last several hours.

Sadly, given the low survival rates involved with people going overboard these rescue efforts are not always successful at locating whomever fell from the ship.

Support the family

Many people who fall overboard on a cruise ship have got loved ones with them, and counselling will be made available to them.

They will usually be given the chance to leave the cruise at the next available port and can be helped to return home.

Topics:  Cruise Ship , Travel

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

@ MrJoeHarker

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Cruises see a fair amount of overboard incidents: Are ships equipped?

Mental health crises can happen anywhere. But what happens if you're stuck in the middle of the ocean?

From 2009 to 2019, there were 212 overboard incidents – of a guest or crew member – according to  statistics compiled for Cruise Lines International Association  by consulting firm G.P. Wild (International) Ltd. "In discussions with cruise line representatives, they indicated that in every case where the cause of the (overboard) was established following a careful investigation it was found to be the result of an intentional or reckless act," the report said, noting that motives could not be determined in some cases.

There were also numerous reports of suspected suicides among crew trapped at sea during the COVID-19 pandemic. And while cruise lines have protocols and services in place to support to guests and crew members, some experts say they are lacking.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Cruise ships feature a range of amenities, from roller coasters and go-kart tracks to spas and dining, but passengers may not always know where to find mental health resources on board.

‘It’s really, really, really needed’

Cruise ships may be designed to prioritize fun and relaxation, but not everyone responds the same to that approach.

For some passengers, being around family members or away from their day-to-day routine can be stressful, said Dr. Tia Dole, chief 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline officer at Vibrant Emotional Health. “But for other people who might have been struggling with their mental health … going on a vacation actually takes you out of your environment − it makes you feel better.”

The widespread presence of alcohol and gambling in onboard casinos may also prove challenging for some travelers, said Dr. Michelle Riba, a clinical professor at the University of Michigan Medical School's Department of Psychiatry and former president of the American Psychiatric Association.

"People have to be self-reflective and talk to their loved ones about how problematic it might be to be on a ship where there's easy access to that," she said.

And when it comes to the kinds of overboard incidents that appear in news reports with some frequency, she said, jumping into the water has perhaps been featured prominently in films and TV shows, and cruises may provide another "access point" to impulsive suicides.

Travis Heggie, a professor at Bowling Green State University who studies tourist health and safety issues, said it's difficult to draw concrete comparisons between rates at sea and on land because of a lack of comprehensive statistics. Riba added that it would be hard to compare the two, given varying demographics and other factors.

Still, suicide on cruise ships is a “growing concern” for Heggie, among guests and crew alike. He has recommended adding mental health care to cruise ship infirmaries in his research .

“It’s really, really, really needed,” he said.

Dole also emphasized that “the reasons why people die by suicide are as unique as a fingerprint” and that it’s important not to generalize.

"The circumstances that lead up to completed suicide, and the things that sort of push people over the edge, are incredibly unique," she said.

Do cruise ships have mental health resources?

If passengers find themselves in need of mental health support during a cruise, some lines do have resources available.

Passengers sailing with Carnival Corp., the parent company of brands including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, can contact onboard medical staff “who are available 24/7 for mental health support and other medical needs,” a spokesperson for the company said in an email.

“With a referral from the shipboard medical team, guests may also access tele-psychiatrist services for face-to-face consultations with these licensed specialists within 24 hours if needed,” the spokesperson added. The consultations are offered through a third-party company that connects passengers with U.S.-based psychiatrists. (The company did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.)

Though training in mental health care varies among onboard medical staff, they can “fulfill recommendations made by the psychiatrists.” There is a pharmacy on board with many medications used to treat mental health problems, and those not carried on the vessel can be ordered in a port.

Like other medical care, passengers have to pay for any costs associated with mental health services. “Travel insurance coverage varies by provider and typically covers acute-need services but usually includes limitations for pre-existing illnesses,” the spokesperson said. “We urge travelers to contact travel insurance providers directly for specific terms and conditions.”

Crew members can also see psychiatrists via telehealth with a referral from the onboard medical team. The company also has an employee assistance program that allows free access to mental health services.

Royal Caribbean Group, another major cruise line operator, and Cruise Lines International Association, the industry’s leading trade group, did not answer questions regarding onboard mental health resources before publishing. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. did not respond to a request for comment.

Cruise ships may also quarantine passengers considered a threat to themselves or others, according to Michael Winkleman, a maritime attorney with Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.

“Our team of onboard medical professionals safeguards the health and well-being of our guests and crew (including mental health), which may include placing a patient under secure watch in the medical center or in a cabin depending on the risk,” the Carnival Corp. spokesperson said.

Though there are major differences – namely, being in the middle of the ocean – Winkleman said there are some commonalities between the cruise line approach and that of hotels or resorts, which often do not have on-site mental health providers. “They are just expecting to provide a fun, safe vacation for their guests,” he said.

Crises on cruises, like an overboard incident, may also get outsized attention given their setting, Heggie added. "People are expecting to go and have a good time and have the vacation or holiday mindset, and, 'Oh, something bad happened.' "

But Winkleman said cruise lines “could do a lot more” to provide mental health support to crew members, many of whom work rigorous schedules on monthslong contracts.

How passengers can care for their mental health

Travelers can take proactive steps to care for their mental health before a trip if need be. If passengers have a mental health provider, Dole recommends speaking with them beforehand and making sure they have any medication they might need.

Passengers can also reach out to their therapists midcruise to schedule a session as needed – though state laws regarding telehealth vary and could prevent them from accessing care. “But generally speaking, it's really about where the person resides,” Dole said. “So (if) you're on a work trip and you're like ‘I need to see my therapist,’ they'll see you.”

Riba noted that it may be more difficult to coordinate than at home with spotty cell service and possible time differences.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline also works in U.S. states as well as territories like Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

How safe are cruise stops?: Travel advisories are only one marker for destinations

Checking in with your fellow travelers can also be helpful. Dole said that “one of the biggest clues someone is struggling” is a change in behavior. Typically, that takes the form of withdrawal, but it could also manifest in people engaging in risky or dangerous behaviors.

“‘I noticed something is different,’” she suggested saying. “‘Is there something happening that you feel comfortable talking to me about?’ And that's not going to make people be defensive as much as: ‘What's wrong? Are you OK? What's happening?’”

Dole recommended framing the question in a way that avoids sounding judgmental or accusatory. “But actually asking the question, especially for young people, can save someone's life,” she said.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call  988  any time day or night, or chat online.   Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis when they dial 741741.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruises see a fair amount of overboard incidents: Are ships equipped?