Cruise Ship Passenger Overboard
Enchantment Of The Seas - Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
December 17, 2006
Sunday December 17th, 8:39am - My husband & I were awakened by the ship announcement system and the Captain announcing that the reason the ship had stopped was because there was a rescue effort for a "Man Overboard".
We immediately looked out of our 3rd Deck Porthole and about 5 minutes
later we saw an orange small rescue vessel moving along the edge of the
ship. We only saw search crew members at this time.
A short time later there was an additional announcement that the person had been recovered from the water and was in the medical facility undergoing medical evaluation. At this time we did not know if the event was related to a passenger or to a crew member.
At yesterday's lunch, there was small discussion amongst passengers as to what may have taken place.
On today's return flight out of FLL to ATL my husband sat next to people who were on our cruise and they knew witnesses to the event - the man was seen climbing the rail on Deck 5 [Promenade] and actively diving headfirst into the water - suicide attempt was mentioned. Cannot confirm that on my own.
It is unclear if he lived after rescue.
UPDATE: December 24, 2006
Another Cruise Bruise visitor reports on this tragic case.
"Sunday morning on Enchantment of the Seas a man in his mid fifties jumped off the fifth deck and died on impact according to dozens of witnesses. A rescue boat was deployed and the body was immediately recovered.
My sister, along with dozens of others watching from their balconies, witnessed the small boat passing underneath, the man most definately deceased, his body lain UNCOVERED on its' deck.
"Why leave him there like that, like a dead fish", my sister kept repeating...?
My family and I have yet to find out any further information about the man."
UPDATE: December 25, 2006
The cruise line confirms the death They indicate the man was traveling with his family, and was 76 years old. Prior reports said the man was in his mid 50s or 55 years old. The cruise line also says a note was left.
Unknown Male
Event Date: December 17, 2006
Bruise: Overboard
Age: 76
Departed: Fort Lauderdale, FL 12/14
Return: Fort Lauderdale, FL 12/18
Ports of Call: Key West, Cozumel, Fort Lauderdale
Details:
Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Ship: Enchantment Of The Seas
Built: 1997
Refurbished: 2005
Registry: Bahamas
Size: 80,700 Gross Tons
Length: 990 feet
Passengers: 2,446
Crew: 760
Caribbean Webcams > HERE
