Colorado Kat Posted January 24, 2010 #26 Share Posted January 24, 2010 I did read a great novel "Skinny Dip" about a guy who threw his wife overboard from a cruise ship. She lived and managed to swim to an island and get even with him. The author was Carl Hiaasen. I think it would be pretty difficult to toss someone over the rails, but I'm sure that there have been real cases of it. I think I need to read this book.....But in truth, I don't think people who "fall" off cruise ships usually survive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwenmark Posted January 24, 2010 #27 Share Posted January 24, 2010 I think I need to read this book.....But in truth, I don't think people who "fall" off cruise ships usually survive. Actually several of them have survived. You would greatly improve your chances if you did what I said, although having the presence of mind to do so in the couple of seconds the fall would take you would be pretty hard. I used to be, LONG ago a High HIGH diver, also my grandfather was in the life saving service for over 30 years. So I am familiar with entering the water from a good height. Also remember the rules they tell you for abandoning ship, assuming you are not climbing into a nice little boat? hey tell you to cross your arms over your chest and step off. The object as I posted earlier is to remain upright and enter the water feet first with as small a "footprint" as possible, that gives you the least chance or breaking anything, and the least physical shock from hitting the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady_cruiser Posted January 25, 2010 #28 Share Posted January 25, 2010 There are several reasons that a person would fall overboard: He/she would be sitting on a balcony railing and when the ship shifts with waves they lose their balance and fall overboard. They are acting silly or are drunk and have climbed on a chair or table that is too close to the railing (i.e. to dance) and again lose their balance and fall overboard. They do want to end their life and this is the way they have chosen to do so. They are probably young, think they are invincible and try from one cabin to another by using the balcony instead of the hallway. How did I come up with these, at one time or another I have read in the news section here at CC that these things have actually happened. As others have said before me, you just don't fall overboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffie Posted January 25, 2010 #29 Share Posted January 25, 2010 There are several reasons that a person would fall overboard: He/she would be sitting on a balcony railing and when the ship shifts with waves they lose their balance and fall overboard. I stood near a lady doing this on one of our cruises. :eek: (Sitting on the rail.) She was with her boyfriend. I guess they thought this was romantic? I had my eye on the closest life preserver. I was going to throw it over if she fell off. I was ready to say something when she finally got down. Some people just don't think!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Kat Posted January 25, 2010 #30 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Ok, assuming that you survive the "fall/drop/jump" into the water.....Aren't you in danger of getting sucked into the engine's wash? Do you need to immediately kick out and try to get as far away as possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwenmark Posted January 25, 2010 #31 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Ok, assuming that you survive the "fall/drop/jump" into the water.....Aren't you in danger of getting sucked into the engine's wash? Do you need to immediately kick out and try to get as far away as possible? It would certainly depend on where you fell from but if you do what I described above when you enter the water you would be taken in a fairly shallow arch out away from the ship to the surface, unless you went into the water FACING the ship. also if you note the action along the sides of the ship as it moves it tends to push things away from it rather then toward and under it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelcat2 Posted January 25, 2010 #32 Share Posted January 25, 2010 If the OP is serious about this question. . . . . I strongly suggest they not go on a cruise. This is one of the worst questions I have ever seen asked on CC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle1836 Posted January 25, 2010 #33 Share Posted January 25, 2010 very funny replies!! perhaps the OP should have picked another vacation rather than a cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffie Posted January 25, 2010 #34 Share Posted January 25, 2010 The OP left the same day as her original posting. I hope she is having fabulous cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G'ma Posted January 25, 2010 #35 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Nobody "falls overboard" on a ship. They are either pushed, tossed or have done something really, really stupid like sit on a railing, climb something they're not supposed to or some other foolish act. Most incidents are alcohol related. If you find yourself in the water, your best bet is to pray to whatever diety you may acknowledge....and you better know how to float. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pms4104 Posted January 25, 2010 #36 Share Posted January 25, 2010 If you fall overboard and are fortunate enough to be rescued in a timely manner ... you'll likely live to tell the tale and sail another day. If that is not the case ... I think it's called a burial at sea.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raegor Posted January 25, 2010 #37 Share Posted January 25, 2010 Probably more likely to die from some strange disease you catch from Mexico or whatever other foreign country you plan to cruise to... Oops, I might make her start another thread with more crazy questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ithaca gal Posted January 26, 2010 #38 Share Posted January 26, 2010 If you were to be thrown overboard, odds are that it is someone you know who tried to kill you ------ so don't sweat the cruise ----- they would have probably done it back home and gone cruising alone on the insurance money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airlink diva Posted January 26, 2010 #39 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I'm sailing with a first timer cruiser in April. We have a balcony for this cruise. One of the first things that she expressed when telling her about the balcony was the possibility of her falling off the ship. I assured her that unless you just want to end your life or someone push you over, it's almost impossible for you fall off the side of a ship. But I will blame the news media for stirring up fear in some people. When report about people falling off of ships, they make it seem like happens all of the time. I've had people at work that also ask me about how I keep myself from falling off a ship. While the question may seem odd or outrageous to a season cruiser, to a newbie who never sailed, this can be a concern. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arwenmark Posted January 26, 2010 #40 Share Posted January 26, 2010 I'm sailing with a first timer cruiser in April. We have a balcony for this cruise. One of the first things that she expressed when telling her about the balcony was the possibility of her falling off the ship.I assured her that unless you just want to end your life or someone push you over, it's almost impossible for you fall off the side of a ship. But I will blame the news media for stirring up fear in some people. When report about people falling off of ships, they make it seem like happens all of the time. I've had people at work that also ask me about how I keep myself from falling off a ship. While the question may seem odd or outrageous to a season cruiser, to a newbie who never sailed, this can be a concern. I assume you tell them you don't get drunk and climb up on the railings? No playing " I'm King Of The World" ala Titanic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindrid Posted January 26, 2010 #41 Share Posted January 26, 2010 Sounds like mass paranoia breaking out - "It looks easy to fall overboard so I'll stay inside" etc. It's NOT easy and you won't get thrown overboard. Not sure why one would think otherwise. Give yourself a break and take a land based vacation that way the only thing that will get you on the beach is stingrays, rip tides, sharks, step on something and get tetanus, etc, etc, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted January 27, 2010 #42 Share Posted January 27, 2010 well especially if its at night and no one see you tumbling over then what? this is really scary Swim and SCREEM! LOL! Seriously though, if you are that paranoid,then cruising is probably not for you. No one falls off ship-they jump off-or they are drunk and doing something foolish like climbing on the rails, but no one falls off. Recently we were in 18 foot waves on a ship,because of this, the promenade and other outside deck doors were locked and were off -limit. The cruiseline will not endanger you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted January 27, 2010 #43 Share Posted January 27, 2010 well thats good to know sparky but what is the procedure if you fall overboard and disappear. I mean does the cruise line make some type of compensation for the family? anyways i think everyone is right in saying its better not to get in such a situation but you can never know what will happen.... That is why they now have cameras everywhere-because RCI had to pay millions in the Smith case. The lines can now prove whether they were negligent. On NCL Dawn, it was shown by cameras that the idiot woman was climbing between balconies. On the NCL Pearl the woman obviously jumped on her own accord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quincytoo Posted January 30, 2010 #44 Share Posted January 30, 2010 That is why they now have cameras everywhere-because RCI had to pay millions in the Smith case. The lines can now prove whether they were negligent. On NCL Dawn, it was shown by cameras that the idiot woman was climbing between balconies. On the NCL Pearl the woman obviously jumped on her own accord. A crew member on the Sapphire Princess just said almost very same thing about the cameras everywhere, actually I think these days they know you have hit the water before you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffie Posted January 30, 2010 #45 Share Posted January 30, 2010 The OP should be coming home this weekend. I hope that she posts about how she faired on the cruise. If we don't hear from her, we will always wonder: did she return? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofmeg Posted January 30, 2010 #46 Share Posted January 30, 2010 A crew member on the Sapphire Princess just said almost very same thing about the cameras everywhere, actually I think these days they know you have hit the water before you do. Yes, that is why privacy on balconies is an illusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnthed0g Posted January 30, 2010 #47 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I have been on a ship where some one went over the side, P&O Oceana couple of years back, coming home to Southampton only about an hour from docking. We had a general announcement "could xxxx contact the desk" then it was in the cabins, then a major search. Then it was apparent that some one had gone over, a man was in his bathroom, came out to find his wife had gone (balcony cabin). They fished her out within an hour or so, she was dead, injuries consistent with falling 80 feet into water it said in the paper. The question was did she fall....or...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie1a Posted January 30, 2010 #48 Share Posted January 30, 2010 It's either swim or sink-cannot think of a 3rd alternative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserbryce Posted January 30, 2010 #49 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I would probably do all the planning to be sure it doesnt happen rather than planning for if it does... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted January 31, 2010 #50 Share Posted January 31, 2010 It's either swim or sink-cannot think of a 3rd alternative. Walk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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