How easy is it to fall overboard during your cruise?
Not very likely, despite extensive media coverage of the ‘man overboard’ incidents. In fact, the biggest risk to your safety during a cruise is not falling off the side of the boat. You are much more likely to get sick, particularly from norovirus, while at sea than when you fall into the ocean.
The railings on cruise ships are typically about four feet high. Even for a tall person, that means the rails are at or above the waist. Therefore, falling overboard is extremely unlikely unless you are engaging in risky behavior, such as binge drinking or climbing from balcony to balcony.
Safety regulations
The United States Coast Guard inspects cruise ships embarking passengers at United States ports during their first call and on a quarterly basis. These inspections cover structural and fire safety, lifeboats and lifesavers, crew training, and onboard drills.
Additionally, passenger ships calling at US ports must meet the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the SOLAS Convention shortly after the Titanic disaster in 1914. The SOLAS Convention details the safety requirements for passenger ships, including the required numbers and types of lifeboats and specifications for smoke detectors and new and existing passenger fire suppression systems. ships In addition, the SOLAS Convention details specific search and rescue procedures that cruise captains must follow.
IMO also issues standards for crew training. These standards, called the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Surveillance of Seafarers (STCW), include specialized training for crew members of passenger ships on crowd management, safety and crisis management.
How to stay safe
The best way to avoid falling overboard on your cruise vacation is to behave responsibly. Here are our top cruise safety tips:
- Avoid drinking excessively. Don’t use illegal drugs.
- Don’t engage in rough play near the ship’s railings, or anywhere else on the ship, for that matter.
- If you must take a selfie, stand on the deck, not on a railing or table. When taking a selfie on the dock, stand away from the edge of the dock so you don’t accidentally fall into the water between the dock and the boat.
- Notify the ship’s doctor if your traveling companion expresses suicidal thoughts. Do your best to convince your partner to seek help. If you have suicidal thoughts, talk to the ship’s doctor or call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255. You can also text the crisis text line; just text CONNECT to 741741 (in the US) to speak with a crisis counselor. In Canada, text HOME to 688868.
- If your cruise ship is sailing in bad weather, stay away from the railings. The ship could roll and cause you to fall overboard.
- Never put other passengers, especially children, on the rails or tables to get a better view, and do not climb on the rails or tables yourself.
What to do if you fall overboard
Your chances of survival are greatly increased if you know what to do once you hit the water.
Get to the surface as fast as you can. Call for help.
Find something to hang on while you float, such as a piece of wood or plastic.
Recognize that your cruise ship will have to turn around to rescue you. If you see other boats, try to attract their attention, but keep the following two points in mind:
- If the water is cold, conserve body heat by curling your body in the fetal (ball) position. Do not agitate, as you will lose body heat and increase the possibility of developing hypothermia.
- If the water is warm, there is a chance that you will find sharks. Do not shake in the water as it will attract their attention. Try not to urinate, for the same reason. Once a shark has noticed you, try to back up slowly and carefully. If the shark becomes aggressive, get as big as possible, keep eye contact with the shark, and defend yourself if it attacks.
The bottom line
Pay attention during the lifeboat drill and follow all safety instructions issued by the crew during your cruise.
Above all, use common sense. If you do not climb a railing or other structure on land, do not do so while at sea.
