Crew Member’s Lucky Escape After Overboard Incident

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A crew member aboard Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa was successfully rescued after falling overboard in Souda-Chania, Crete, Greece, on 3rd June, 2025.

Costa Deliziosa

The incident occurred in the afternoon while the cruise ship was docked at the port and guests were ashore exploring the popular Mediterranean destination.

Under circumstances that remain unclear, the 30-year-old Tunisian crew member fell into the water, prompting an immediate rescue response from her fellow crew members onboard.

Crew aboard the Costa Deliziosa swiftly initiated emergency procedures, including throwing a life jacket to the woman and alerting local authorities.

The Greek Coast Guard quickly arrived at the scene, dispatching multiple patrol units and a rescue boat to assist.

According to the Chania Port Authority, the woman was retrieved conscious from the water with the joint assistance of crew onboard and the local rescue units.

After being assessed by medical personnel onboard the Costa Deliziosa, she was confirmed to be in good health and required no further medical attention.

“The Chania Port Authority was informed of the fall of a woman into the sea, in the port of Souda. Immediately, LS-EL.AKT patrol vehicles went to the scene, while with the assistance of a launch and a cruise ship (C/Z), flagged in the Bahamas, from which a life jacket was thrown, the woman was retrieved conscious,

“She is a 30-year-old foreigner (Tunisian citizen) sailor (specialty of assistant), a crew member of the above C/Z. The 30-year-old, after examination by the C/Z’s doctor, was diagnosed as being in good health,”

Chania Port Authority

Costa Deliziosa, the only cruise ship docked in Souda-Chania at the time of the incident, can accommodate 2,826 passengers and 934 crew members.

The vessel is currently operating Mediterranean cruises, visiting ports in Greece, Italy, and Croatia on itineraries of 7 and 14 nights.

An investigation has been initiated to determine the exact circumstances leading to the crew member falling overboard.

Other Overboard Incidents

Though concerning, incidents of individuals falling from cruise ships are relatively rare.

According to data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), only 212 people fell overboard between 2009 and 2019, a small number relative to the millions of guests and crew sailing annually.

However, due to factors like strong currents, difficulty in locating individuals, and weather conditions, successful rescues remain challenging, with only about 28% of overboard situations resulting in a successful rescue during that period.

The most recent similar incident involving a crew member occurred in August 2024 aboard Carnival Dream off the coast of Mexico, in which the individual sadly was not found.

Prior to that, a crew member from AIDAperla fell overboard in the English Channel in October 2023, and was also presumed lost.

Costa Cruises has not released further details on this recent event, but the quick action by crew members and the local authorities helped avert a more serious outcome.

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Cruise Mummy

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

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