Cruise Fever has been following this incredible story since the beginning. A 44-year-old passenger from El Salvador went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas and somehow survived about 20 hours in the open Ionian Sea.
Now, the Hellenic Coast Guard has released video of the actual rescue.
In the early hours of Saturday, October 10, the Madeira-flagged cargo ship MSC Rossella III spotted the flashing light on a life ring about 70 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos.
Odyssey of the Seas had been involved in the search as well, and spent more than 12 hours in search patterns, looking for the woman.
Initial reports stated that the woman had grabbed a life ring before jumping into the water. It was several hours after she had gone overboard that the ship’s crew reviewed CCTV footage to confirm what had happened.
About 20 hours had passed as several commercial boats and the Hellenic Coast Guard continued to search.
Unbelievably, she was found alive and conscious, still inside that circular life ring after spending a good part of the night drifting in the dark.
It truly was a miracle. After all, according to CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) passengers who go overboard from a cruise ship only have a survival rate of about 28%.
That number was as low as 17% just a couple of decades ago, but modern technology has helped raise those odds slightly.
Consider the fact that the woman was already missing for almost a full 24-hour period and those odds were not looking good.
But new footage shows the dramatic moment rescuers on the MSC cargo ship approach her in the dark water, speak to her, and toss a rope so she can be pulled to safety.
Check out the Hellenic Coast Guard video below:
A Coast Guard vessel then took her aboard, gave first aid, and brought her to the port of Katakolo before she was transferred to a hospital in Pyrgos.
She was treated for mild hypothermia and is reported to be in stable condition.
According to the Coast Guard, the woman later said she jumped because she “wanted to disembark.”
You can read our original coverage of the search and miracle rescue here.
Surviving almost a full day and night alone in open water is very rare. The fact that she had a life ring made all the difference.
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