Woman rescued after 20-hour drift off Zante following cruise ship jump
A 44-year-old passenger from El Salvador who leapt from Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas was rescued by Greek coast guards 70 miles off Zante after floating for about 20 hours.
During the final leg of a seven-night Mediterranean cruise, a 44-year-old El Salvadorian passenger jumped from the Odyssey of the Seas around 6 a.m., saying she wanted to leave the ship. The crew immediately notified Greek coast guards, who dispatched two vessels and a navy helicopter, and the ship itself sent a small boat to search. Passengers were informed of the incident around 10 a.m., and the captain announced the ship had turned around to assist.
After 20 hours adrift, a nearby passenger ferry spotted the woman roughly 70 miles off Zante, and a coastal patrol boat rescued her early Saturday. She was transferred to Katakolo and later to a hospital in Pyrgos, where authorities ordered medical and psychiatric evaluations. The cruise cancelled its scheduled stop in Naples to support the rescue effort.
Why it matters
The incident highlights safety challenges on cruise ships and the coordination required for maritime rescues.
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