Girl Who Fell from Disney Cruise Ship Was Too Small to Trigger ‘Man Overboard’ Alarm: Police

Girl Who Fell from Disney Cruise Ship Was Too Small to Trigger ‘Man Overboard’ Alarm: Police

A recent incident involving a 5-year-old girl falling overboard from a Disney Cruise ship has raised concerns after police investigators revealed that the child’s size was too small to set off the ship’s “man overboard” alarm. The police report, obtained by PEOPLE, disclosed that the alarm only activated when the girl’s father leaped into action to rescue her, not when she initially fell into the water.

According to Detective Christopher Favitta of Florida’s Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the girl’s petite body did not register on the man overboard sensors when she accidentally slipped through an open porthole on the Disney Dream cruise ship on June 29. It was only when her father followed suit by jumping in to save her that the alarm was triggered less than a minute later.

The incident occurred as the family was returning from a four-night Disney Cruise to the Bahamas, with the father and daughter ultimately being rescued by a Disney team and safely brought back on board. The sequence of events outlined in the report indicates that the girl fell into the water at 11:29 a.m., with the alarm going off at 11:30 after her father’s swift response, and the announcement broadcasted across the ship at 11:31.

Notably, it was reported that the mother had allegedly encouraged the girl to pose for a photo near an open porthole, leading to the tragic accident. Following the fall, rescue crews promptly launched their boats, retrieving both family members from the water at 11:49 and transporting them to the ship’s medical centre for treatment. The father sustained injuries and was later transferred to Broward Health Medical Center.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Disney commended the crew for their quick and effective response, ensuring the safe return of the passengers within minutes. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office report cited the family’s stop on the ship’s fourth deck to take a photo, during which the girl lost her balance and fell backward into the ocean from the railing pointed out by her mother.

Regarding the incident’s legal implications, an email from assistant state attorney Melissa Kelly included in the report stated the decision not to pursue criminal prosecution due to a lack of evidence of criminal negligence. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 mandates the integration of technology for detecting overboard passengers, yet the effectiveness and compliance of these systems remain subject to scrutiny.

While industry standards for man overboard systems have been under review, the specifics of the technology aboard the Disney Dream in this case are not confirmed. The Cruise Line International Association, a key industry body, has been instrumental in defining criteria for MOB sensors. However, the implementation and enforcement of these regulations continue to be a focal point for bolstering passenger safety.

Incidents like these serve as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures on cruise ships, especially concerning the protection of vulnerable passengers such as children. The role of technology in enhancing onboard security and response protocols is critical in averting tragic accidents and ensuring swift rescue operations in emergencies.

The profound impact of this event underscores the need for continuous evaluation and improvement in maritime safety practices across the cruise industry. As authorities navigate the aftermath of this incident, the broader conversation around passenger welfare and operational standards on cruise ships will undoubtedly be propelled to the forefront of maritime safety discussions.