Passenger found after overnight search
Greek authorities rescued a 44-year-old Salvadoran woman after she spent about 20 hours adrift in the Ionian Sea, according to Greek coast guard officials cited by The New York Times.
The woman had left Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas while the ship was sailing in international waters about 70 nautical miles southwest of the Greek island of Zakynthos. The cruise ship’s captain alerted Greek rescue authorities shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Friday. Officials said the woman had gone overboard about three hours before the alert.
How the search unfolded
Greek authorities launched a large-scale search-and-rescue operation involving coast guard vessels, a Greek Air Force helicopter, nearby merchant ships and the Odyssey of the Seas.
A cargo vessel found the woman conscious just before 3 a.m. on Saturday. She was holding on to a life preserver and had drifted about 10 nautical miles toward Zakynthos, officials said.
A coast guard rescue vessel then took her to the port of Katakolo. She was later transported by ambulance to a hospital for medical observation.
Investigation continues
According to Greek officials, the woman told rescuers that she had jumped from the ship because she “wanted to disembark.” The Katakolo Port Authority has opened an investigation into the incident.
A local prosecutor ordered the woman to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. The report did not provide further information about her medical condition.
Royal Caribbean did not respond to questions reported by The New York Times, including why Greek rescue authorities were not alerted until three hours after the incident.
What happens next
The port authority’s investigation is expected to examine the circumstances of the woman’s departure from the ship and the timing of the alert to Greek authorities. The available report does not state whether additional action has been taken by the cruise line or authorities.
Royal Caribbean’s website describes the Odyssey of the Seas as more than 1,100 feet long, with capacity for nearly 4,200 guests.
Source
This report is based on information published by The New York Times.
