A woman who reportedly jumped from a cruise ship into the Ionian Sea was rescued after spending 20 hours in the water, according to the Greek coastguard. The incident took place early Friday as the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, was navigating southwest of Zakynthos island.
The 44-year-old woman from El Salvador later explained to rescuers that she intended to leave the ship. ‘She was 20 hours at sea,’ stated a coastguard representative.
Following the alert early on Friday, two coastguard boats, a navy helicopter, and nearby vessels participated in the search. The cruise ship also joined the efforts.
A freighter eventually spotted the woman, who was conscious and in a life ring, on Saturday. She was then rescued by a Greek coastguard patrol boat.
The coastguard released a video showing a crew member throwing a rope to a woman floating in a life ring during the night.
After the rescue, she was transported to the port of Katakolo and then to a hospital in Pyrgos for medical evaluations, including a psychiatric assessment as ordered by a local prosecutor.
This incident follows a similar event last year when a man jumped from a Royal Caribbean cruise near the Port of San Juan to allegedly evade a $16,000 gambling debt to the cruise line. He was brought ashore by a jet ski and subsequently charged with avoiding monetary reporting requirements upon entry into the U.S.
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