Cruise workers have a number of secret codes that sound over the public address system to alert them when something goes wrong. The cruise lines use codes in order to not spook passengers.
When a certain code is shared, it means that a man has gone overboard. That triggers an immediate response from crew members who make every effort to find the person who has gone overboard.
Related: Carnival Cruise Lines adds new ban families won’t like
While there are no official statistics on man-overboard incidents, data from CLIA, the cruise industry’s trade association, showed 212 man-overboard situations between 2009 and 2019. That’s just under 20 each year.
In reality, at least some of these incidents are suicide attempts, and it’s actually extremely rare that anyone actually accidentally falls off a cruise ship.
MSC Cruises, however, just had a man overboard incident and Doug Parker has all of the news on Cruise News Today.
Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.
Man overboard on MSC ship
Transcript:
This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker.
Good morning. Here’s your cruise news for Tuesday, February 25.
The cruise industry has reported its first man overboard of the year.
The Uruguayan and Brazilian authorities are searching for a missing crew member from the MSC Poesia.
Now authorities say a 32-year-old Filipino national went overboard shortly after the ship left Montevideo on Friday. Surveillance footage shows that he was last seen on deck seven with movement later detected in the water.
Now the Uruguayan Navy first launched a search using patrol boats and aircrafts before the Brazilian authorities took over the operation.
Officials say all statements video footage and other evidence have been secured on board and will be turned over to local investigators.
Last year the cruise industry saw 19 man overboard situations.
Captain Kate leaves Celebrity Cruises; Barcelona cracks down
And a surprise departure in the cruise industry.
Captain Kate McCue, the first American woman to captain a large cruise ship is leaving celebrity cruises after 22 years.
She made the announcement on Instagram on Monday saying recent life changes have shifted her priorities.
Now, while she didn’t reveal what was next for her, she assured fans that her sailing days were far from over.
Known for her viral videos and engaging personality McCue says she’ll share updates on her next chapter very soon.
Captain Kate was known for her hairless cruising cat Bug Naked that sadly passed away in late December following a dental procedure.
Best of luck, Captain Kate.
And as Barcelona cracks down on tourism, cruise officials are pushing back, saying ships make up only 5% of the city’s visitors.
Port Director Jose Alberto Carbondale says overcrowding is a problem, but reducing cruise terminals won’t solve the problem.
The City Council wants to cut the number of terminals from 7 to 5. While some tourism groups warn restrictions could hurt the local economy.
Meanwhile, protests continue against the tourist housing, which locals say are driving up housing costs regionally.
With nearly 1.9 million cruise passengers expected this year in Barcelona alone, It’s safe to say this debate is far from over.
If you have a lead on a story, [email protected], have yourself a great Tuesday.
I’m Doug Parker with Cruise News Today.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at [email protected] or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
