Cruising is one of the most pleasurable ways to travel around the planet. Relaxed pace, stunning views, amazing food and entertainment galore. If you have never been on a cruise you really do not know what you are missing.
That said there is one thing you simply never EVER want to do or have happen to you on a ship and that is to go overboard.
Can you survive?
Recently in the news a heartwarming story of a man who was lost at sea for almost a full day was found and rescued. But this is not how it usually works out and this story really is the rare exception and should not encourage anyone ever to risk going over the rails.
How common?
Depending on where you draw your statistics from an average of 25 people every year go overboard either willfully or due to some other reason that often involves excessive alcohol consumption.
If you happen to go overboard your odds of survival are very low. Again depending on what metric you use to tabulate how they went overboard you are looking at somewhere between 75-90% of those folks are going to die. This is either from drowning or impacts on the way into the sea or from hitting the sea from such great height.
What are your chances of going overboard? Per Cruise Market Watch, before the pandemic, over 27 million individuals world wide boarded a cruise ship. Compare that to the 25 or so each year who go overboard and you see the chance of this happening to you is extremely remote. But if you do you are most like going to die.
How to avoid going overboard.
So how to avoid becoming one of these rare statistics. Simply be aware. A cruise ship is so different than anything else in your normal life. There are hazards everywhere. When at the rails never “climb up” on any of the rungs. Never lean over the rails when at sea or at port. If you have had an adult beverage or two be even more careful around the outside of the ship as you could be even more easily distracted. Lastly be aware of others in your group as to their behavior and don’t be afraid to step in if needed – they will thank you later!
As you can see it really is not that hard but just takes awareness of your actions as well as those around you.
One last tip that matters – be aware at the pier. While the fall may not kill you sliding into the ocean next to the ship is something you never want to have happen to you. – René
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