Additional Coverage:
A Father’s Heroic Leap Saves Daughter From Disney Cruise Ship
A dramatic rescue unfolded Sunday aboard the Disney Dream cruise ship as it returned to Fort Lauderdale from the Bahamas. A young girl fell overboard, prompting her father to jump into the ocean after her.
Passengers recounted the tense moments as the ship’s crew launched a rescue boat. “The ship was moving quickly,” Laura Amador recalled.
“It’s crazy how quickly the people became tiny dots in the sea.” The captain slowed and turned the ship, allowing the crew to reach the father and daughter.
Videos circulating on social media show the father treading water, holding his daughter, before handing her to rescuers.
Passengers expressed relief and admiration. “That man is a hero,” Tracy Robinson-Hughes commented, capturing the rescue on video.
“He jumped in to save his child.” Others echoed the sentiment, praising the father’s bravery and the crew’s swift response.
Cruise expert Amanda Berry, known as Mandy the Cruise Planner, emphasized the rarity of survival in such situations. “Approximately only 17 to 25 percent of people survive once they go overboard,” she noted, commending the Disney staff for their effectiveness.
Disney Cruise Line released a statement praising the crew’s “exceptional skills and prompt actions,” highlighting the success of their safety protocols. While the ship is equipped with Plexiglas barriers, it remains unclear how the child fell.
The identities of the father and daughter haven’t been released. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance, especially when traveling with children.