Woman rescued after falling off Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship on Ionian Sea, Greece
The woman was located after crew on a passing cargo ship spotted a flashing light on the lifebuoy she was clinging on to.
A woman has been recovered alive after she fell off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship off the coast of Greece.
The woman was travelling as a guest on the Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas in early October, which departed from Civitavecchia in Italy on October 4, across the Ionian Sea towards Greece.
It is believed the woman, who is reportedly from El Salvador, fell overboard later that week which triggered an emergency search and rescue effort between the cruise liner and the Hellenic Coast Guard.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The local emergency plan was immediately activated and searches were launched to locate her, with the participation of a rescue vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard, a Hellenic Coast Guard Patrol Vessel and passing ships, as well as a Super Puma helicopter of the Hellenic Air Force,” a translated statement from the Coast Guard said.
Thankfully, the woman was located in the early morning of October 10 after crew on a passing cargo ship spotted a flashing light on the lifebuoy she was clinging on to.
Vision from the Coast Guard shows the woman drifting in the lifebuoy in dark choppy water, as the ship’s crew throws her a rope.
“A tipped-over lifebuoy was initially located, while in the early hours of yesterday the 44-year-old woman was located conscious, inside the lifebuoy,” the statement said.
“The 44-year-old was picked up by the (vessel), where she was provided with first aid.”
The woman was taken to Katakolo Port and transported by ambulance to the Andreas Papandreou General Hospital of Pyrgos for “medical monitoring” and “examinations”.
“A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Katakolo Port Authority,” the Coast Guard statement said.
The Royal Caribbean Group says the Odyssey of the Seas is “working with authorities” during investigation into the incident.
“Our Care Team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” a spokesperson told USA Today.
“For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”
The Nightly has contacted the Royal Caribbean Group for comment.
