15 Year Old Fell Off Cruise Ship
On July 4th, 2019, a 15-year-old girl from Indiana fell off of a cruise ship in the Bahamas. The girl was on theNorwegian Cruise Line’s ship, Norwegian Getaway, when she fell from the 11th deck into the ocean. The ship was traveling from Miami to the Bahamas when the incident occurred. The girl went overboard around 2 a.m., and the ship was immediately turned around to search for her.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Bahamian Coast Guard were both contacted to assist in the search and rescue efforts. The search was conducted over a span of 21 hours, covering 1,600 square nautical miles. The Coast Guard stated that they searched for the girl using planes, helicopters, and boats. Unfortunately, the search was unsuccessful, and the girl was not found.
Investigation into the Fall
The fall is still being investigated, and it is unclear how the girl fell from the ship. The ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas when the incident occurred. Norwegian Cruise Line has stated that they are cooperating with the authorities and providing support to the girl’s family. The name of the girl has not been released to the public.
Preventing Overboard Incidents
Overboard incidents are rare, but they do happen. According to a report by CruiseJunkie.com, there have been 322 overboard incidents on cruise ships since 2000. Norwegian Cruise Line has a number of safety precautions in place to prevent overboard incidents. All of their ships have surveillance cameras and security personnel onboard. Passengers are also required to attend a muster drill at the beginning of every cruise, where they learn about safety procedures and protocol in case of an emergency.
Cruise Ship Safety Regulations
Cruise ships are regulated by a number of different organizations around the world, including the International Maritime Organization and the United States Coast Guard. Every ship is required to comply with a set of safety regulations, which include everything from emergency procedures to sanitation standards. In the United States, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 was passed in response to several high-profile incidents, including the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl from California on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2009. The act requires all cruise ships that stop in the United States to implement specific safety measures, including the installation of peepholes in cabin doors and the reporting of all crimes committed onboard.
Mental Health on Cruise Ships
Incidents like this raise questions about mental health on cruise ships. According to the American Psychological Association, the isolation and confinement of cruise ship life can have negative psychological effects on passengers. In addition, the constant availability of food and alcohol can lead to unhealthy habits.Cruise lines have taken steps to address these concerns by offering mental health services onboard and implementing wellness programs.
Conclusion
Overall, the fall of the 15-year-old girl from the Norwegian Getaway is a tragic reminder of the importance of safety on cruise ships. Cruise lines should continue to prioritize safety measures and mental health services for their passengers. Our thoughts are with the girl’s family during this difficult time.