This Sunday, during the journey back to Fort Lauderdale, a passenger from the Disney Dream cruise jumped into the sea to help his young daughter, who had accidentally fallen overboard.
According to CBS News, the tragedy was averted thanks to the quick reaction of the father and the effective response of the cruise team.
The girl fell into the sea from the fourth deck of the ship.
According to eyewitnesses, both stayed afloat for more than 10 minutes before being rescued.
The images of the rescue circulated quickly on social media.
A video posted on TikTok by user @Noeayala32 showed a father holding his daughter in the water and handing her over to the rescue team before being assisted in getting onto the rescue boat himself.
"Yes, I only saw one person fall, but I didn’t see the other person. I thought it was just one individual. It was an adult. I believe they were trying to take a picture on the railing. They were trying to see," recounted Noeayala32 in the video.
"The boat was moving quickly, so quickly that it’s incredible how fast the people became tiny dots in the sea, and then they disappeared from sight. The captain slowed down the boat and turned it around, and then they launched a smaller boat with people on board to go look for them, and we saw them rescue the father and daughter," recounted another passenger in statements to the local press.
After the incident, the ship's emergency system was activated via an announcement over the intercom using the code "Mr. MOB" (Man Overboard), which triggered an urgent rescue operation.
The crew's response and the rescue
"The crew of the Disney Dream quickly rescued two passengers from the water... We congratulate our crew for their exceptional skill and speed, which ensured the safe return of both passengers to the ship in a matter of minutes," a spokesperson for Disney Cruise Line informed USA TODAY.
"We are committed to the safety and well-being of our passengers, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols," they added.
Circumstances still under investigation
Despite the success of the rescue, the circumstances that led to the fall are still unclear.
The Disney line ships are equipped with plexiglass safety barriers on the decks, as well as detection systems designed to automatically alert staff in the event that someone falls overboard.
Passenger Kevin Furuta, who shared his experience on Facebook, stated that the fall occurred from deck 4, a level of the ship that features a walking path.
"A girl fell overboard from the fourth deck and her father caught her... Fortunately, the DCL rescue team arrived immediately and both were saved," wrote Furuta.
The passengers disembarked at Port Everglades on the morning of Monday, June 30, visibly excited but relieved by the happy outcome of the incident.
The exact age of the minor involved in the accident has not been disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Rescue on the Disney Cruise
How did the incident on the Disney Dream cruise happen?
The girl fell into the sea from the fourth deck of the Disney Dream cruise ship. During the return trip to Fort Lauderdale, the father jumped into the water to rescue his daughter, which prevented a tragedy thanks to his quick reaction and the effective response of the cruise team.
What was the crew's reaction to the accident?
The crew of the Disney Dream immediately activated the emergency system with the code “Mr. MOB” (Man Overboard), triggering an urgent rescue operation. The cruise rescue team acted swiftly and skillfully to ensure both passengers' safe return to the ship.
What safety measures does the cruise have in place to prevent falls overboard?
The Disney fleet has plexiglass safety barriers on the decks and detection systems designed to automatically alert staff in case someone falls overboard. Despite these measures, the specific circumstances of the incident are still under investigation.
How long did the father and daughter remain in the water before being rescued?
According to eyewitnesses, both remained afloat for over 10 minutes before being rescued by the cruise ship's rescue team.
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