A crew member died after going overboard from Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean confirmed.
According to online reports, the secret man overboard code ("Oscar, Oscar, Oscar") sounded at around 7:18PM on Thursday, July 24. The world's largest cruise ship then slowed down and returned to the location where the crew member had gone overboard.
One passenger shared that they saw the rescue unfold from their port-side balcony stateroom, where they witnessed crew members dropping life preservers into the ocean. Not long after, a rescue boat was deployed and returned with someone onboard.
Additionally, security closed the blinds in the Royal Promenade and discouraged cruisers from hanging out near the sides of the vessel during the incident.
Although they were able to quickly locate the individual, the crew member, who supposedly worked at the Schooner Bar, succumbed to their injuries and passed away.
Icon of the Seas was sailing about 200 miles off the coast of Nassau, Bahamas, en route to Perfect Day at CocoCay when the crew member went overboard. The remainder of the voyage will continue uninterrupted. Icon is expected to return to PortMiami on Sunday, wrapping up the 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise.
"Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately, the crew member passed away. We extend our condolences to the crew member’s family and loved ones," said Royal Caribbean in a statement issued to 7News Miami.
"To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share."
The incident happened less than one month after a father jumped into the ocean after his child while sailing on a Disney cruise ship
Last month, a young child fell overboard from the Disney Dream en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during a 4-night sailing to the Bahamas. Moments later, the kid's father leapt into the ocean. Both were successfully rescued by the crew, and the father was instantly called a hero.
However, other rumors quickly started circulating on the internet, saying that her dad had held her on a railing when she fell into the water. Security footage dispelled the rumor, though, revealing that the young girl fell through a porthole after losing her balance.
Detectives said the 37-year-old father was alerted about the harrowing situation by his wife. He then jumped into the water, found his daughter, and treaded water until they were rescued by Disney crew members.
Read more: Child goes overboard from Disney cruise ship; father jumps in to save her, reports claim
The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are low
Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42 inches high to comply with the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010. Additionally, thick metal panels, Plexiglass panels, or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent guests from accidentally slipping through.
As such, going overboard on a cruise ship is rare. A report shared by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) revealed that there were 212 confirmed overboard incidents from cruise ships between 2009 and 2019.
Of those incidents, 48 individuals, or 28.2%, were successfully rescued.
