Walker also says that 50% of overboard incidents are “mysteries”. Many of those cases do involve foul play and being out on sea makes it difficult to investigate.

However, he says that, “The most likely scenario we have seen are men throwing women overboard”.

Unless the ship is still very close to shore, you’ll be swimming in complete darkness should you fall overboard at night. That won’t make the rescue crew’s job any easier.

Stay away from the rails, especially when you’ve had one too many drinks.

Trying to find a person who fell into the ocean is much harder than people think. But trying to spot a person in rough seas is way more difficult since the water is choppy.

Try not to fall off but if you do, pray for calm water.

Cruising to the Bahamas gives you better chances of survival as compared to a cruise in Alaska. Falling into cold water can instantly kill because of cold shock response. That sudden icy coldness makes a person take an involuntary gasp, which would make them inhale seawater and eventually drown.

60% of deaths in cold waters occur in the first few minutes, according to survival expert Mike Tipton.

And even if you survive the initial shock, hypothermia could set in within 30 minutes. Keep your limbs close to your body while exerting as little energy as possible.

“Try to stay still and float,” Tipton advised. Learn to curl up in a fetal position to help keep the body insulated and calm.

Now with warm water, the problem you would have are sharks.

The ship won’t immediately turn around and come back for whoever fell overboard.

Sarah Kirby fell off a Carnival cruise so her friend Rebecca spoke to the captain to turn the ship around, but the problem was Rebecca didn’t actually see Sarah fall, so the captain refused until he was sure that Sarah actually did fall over.

Luckily for Sarah, she was rescued after two hours in the water.

A man fell off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2015 and nobody noticed. Lucky for him another Carnival cruise ship was traveling along the same route so they picked him up.

There is technology that can detect when a person falls off a ship, but cruise lines are not legally required to install the device.

Cruise ships are massive, meaning a person could fall from as much as 10 stories up. And most of us know that a belly flop is like hitting concrete.

A broken bone is a common injury, plus having the wind knocked out of you can cause drowning.

The number of people falling off cruise ships every year is quite low, but the percentage of those rescued alive is also pretty small. Most of them are never found. No one really realizes that they are missing until it’s too late.

Then you have unpredictable sea conditions that can prevent rescue crews from moving out or even spotting them.

While shark attacks are rare, being stranded in open water increases the risk of encountering these predators.

Powerful ocean currents can quickly carry a person miles away from the point they fell, making rescue efforts even more challenging.

Even in warmer waters, prolonged exposure can lead to hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature.

Prolonged exposure to saltwater can lead to skin rashes, dehydration, and saltwater poisoning if ingested.

Open waters are home to various jellyfish species, some of which can deliver painful and sometimes dangerous stings.

In open water, especially at night, it’s almost impossible for a person to be spotted without a light source.

Without fresh water, a person can become dehydrated within hours, leading to severe health complications.

Direct exposure to the sun without any protection can lead to sunburns, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

The psychological impact of being alone in the vastness of the ocean can be overwhelming.

Even strong swimmers can struggle with fatigue and the challenges of staying afloat for extended periods.

If a person falls close to the ship, they risk being sucked towards the ship’s propellers, which can be fatal.

Without any means to signal or communicate, the person is entirely cut off from the outside world.

Apart from sharks, there are other marine creatures like barracudas or sea snakes that can pose threats.

Dehydration, sun exposure, and fatigue can lead to hallucinations, making the situation even more disorienting.

The impact from falling can cause injuries, making it harder to stay afloat or swim.

Open waters aren’t always clean. Floating in areas with oil or other pollutants can be harmful.

There’s a risk of being hit or run over by other vessels that might not notice a person in the water.

Without sustenance, a person’s energy and health will quickly deteriorate.

Being in open water without a stable platform can lead to severe sea sickness, further weakening the individual.

Seeing distant ships or planes can give a momentary sense of hope, only to have it crushed when they pass by without noticing.

The vastness of the open sea can distort one’s sense of distance and direction, making it difficult to determine which way to swim or float.

Birds might mistake a person for potential food, leading to distressing encounters.

Ingesting too much sea water can lead to nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems due to its salt content.

The ocean isn’t always pristine. Encountering floating debris, like plastic, can pose additional hazards.

High tides and large waves can be exhausting to navigate, increasing the risk of drowning.

Without a stable platform to rest on, the person might suffer from sleep deprivation, leading to impaired judgment and increased vulnerability.

Wind, rain, and other weather conditions can exacerbate the challenges of being stranded in open water.

Open wounds or cuts can become infected due to prolonged exposure to salt water.

The continuous stress and fear can lead to mental exhaustion, making it difficult to make rational decisions.

Extreme conditions can cause mirages, leading the person to believe they see land or a ship, further adding to the psychological torment.