Royal Caribbean passenger rescued after nearly 20 hours at sea reveals why she intentionally jumped from ship in Greece

In a dramatic turn of events, a Royal Caribbean passenger overboard Greeceincident ended with the passenger being rescued nearly 20 hours after going overboard from a Royal Caribbean ship into the Ionian Sea near the island of Zakynthos, Greece. According to a news release by the Hellenic Coast Guard, the incident occurred on the morning of Oct. 9 on the cruise ship while it was sailing southwest of Zakynthos. The woman, later identified as a 44-year-old El Salvadoran national, told rescuers that she jumped from the ship because she “wanted to disembark”.

A cargo ship that participated in the search located the woman on Oct. 10 and she was found conscious while floating inside a lifebuoy, according to the coast guard. Footage shared by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows the moment the woman was found floating in the water.

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Why did the woman jump from the Royal Caribbean ship?

The woman who was rescued in the dark Ionian Sea last week, in the Royal Caribbean passenger overboard Greeceincident, later told rescuers that she intentionally jumped from the Odyssey of the Seas ship as she “wanted to disembark,” according to the New York Times, citing Greek coast guard spokesperson George Tsapras.

The ship’s captain alerted Greek authorities of the passenger going overboard around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 9, which was about three hours after the fall had happened as the vessel sailed near the Greek island of Zakynthos. The woman was rescued after spending approximately 20 hours at sea, per the report.

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A “local emergency plan was immediately activated” and searches were launched to locate the 44-year-old Salvadorian woman, with participation of the Hellenic Coast Guard, a Hellenic Coast Guard Patrol Vessel (HCV) and passing ships, as well as a Super Puma helicopter of the Hellenic Air Force, according to the news release. A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Katakolo Port Authority.

A spokesperson for the Royal Caribbean Group told USA Today that the ship “immediately launched a search and rescue effort and are working with authorities” after the woman went overboard.

“Our Care Team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share,” the spokesperson added.

How was the woman rescued?

On October 11, the Hellenic Coast Guard, Greece’s maritime law enforcement agency, issued a news release after the woman was found. They gave details about the Royal Caribbean passenger overboard Greecesearch and rescue operation and also shared footage of the dramatic rescue.

According to the translated release, the woman was found conscious in the Ionian Sea near Zakynthos after Greek authorities were first notified that she had fallen into the water on the morning of Oct. 9. The woman was eventually found in the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 10, by the cargo ship MSC Rossella III, which was assisting with the search efforts, according to the release.

A video shared by the Hellenic Coast Guard shows the dramatic moment a cargo ship crew spotted a woman floating in the dark sea inside a lifebuoy and pulled her to safety.

In the footage, a light can be seen shining toward the woman as the ship approaches her. “Are you okay?” a crew member shouts before throwing a rope down to her.

The woman is seen moving in the water as the vessel draws closer. She quickly grabs the rope and begins pulling herself toward the ship.

According to the coast guard's release, the woman received first aid after being brought aboard the cargo ship. She was later taken to the port of Katakolo in mainland Greece and transported by ambulance to a local hospital for medical monitoring and examinations. The Katakolo Port Authority was investigating the incident at the time the release was published.