Man Falls Overboard On Carnival Cruise Ship
On Tuesday, September 22, 2020, a man was reported to have fallen overboard on a Carnival Cruise Ship named "Liberty" during their four-day trip from Galveston, Texas to Cozumel, Mexico.
The Event
The incident happened around midnight when the man was seen falling from his balcony on the ninth deck. A witness reported the incident immediately. The ship's crew initiated the "man overboard" procedure and started searching for the man. The US Coast Guard was also notified and sent a search and rescue team.
The Search
The search operation continued for several hours, covering the area where the man was last seen. The Liberty's crew used their rescue boat and a drone equipped with a thermal camera to aid the search. The US Coast Guard sent a helicopter and a cutter to search the area. The search was suspended after 20 hours, and the man was not found.
The Investigation
After the ship docked at its final destination, Cozumel, the investigation began. The ship's crew and the US Coast Guard reviewed the CCTV footage to identify the man and investigate the incident. The initial investigation revealed that the man intentionally jumped from his balcony, committing suicide.
Carnival Cruise Lines Statement
Carnival Cruise Lines released a statement regarding the incident, expressing their condolences to the family and friends of the victim. They confirmed that the man was a 39-year-old male guest onboard the Liberty. The statement also mentioned that Carnival Cruise Lines has a comprehensive man overboard procedure and cooperates fully with the US Coast Guard during search and rescue operations.
Conclusion
Incidents like this are rare, but it highlights the importance of following the ship's safety guidelines, especially when in high-risk areas such as balconies. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, whether you are onboard the ship or on land, please do not hesitate to contact the ship's crew or emergency services.