A dramatic ocean rescue unfolded after a father leapt into the ocean to save his 5-year-old daughter following her accidental fall through a porthole, according to an official statement.
The incident took place on Deck 4 of the Disney Dream ship while it was in international waters between the Bahamas and Port Everglades. The child, who was sitting on a railing near the porthole, fell backward into the ocean. After the mother alerted her husband, who did not witness the incident, he immediately jumped into the water to rescue his daughter.
The father and daughter were safely retrieved by Disney Cruise Line rescue personnel after about 20 minutes. The event was corroborated by security footage and highlighted the crew’s rigorous safety training.
Dewayne Smith, another passenger, wrote on Facebook that ‘Man Over Board’ rang across the loudspeaker as rescue teams sprang into action. He noted that both the girl and father were successfully rescued, emphasizing the effectiveness of the ship’s safety protocols.
A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson confirmed the successful rescue: ‘The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water. We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship within minutes.’ The company stated their commitment to the safety and well-being of guests, highlighting the incident as a testament to their safety protocols.
Once rescued, the father and daughter were checked by the ship’s medical staff. After the ship safely arrived Monday at Port Everglades, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue transported them to an area hospital. The father was hospitalized, but details of his injuries were not released. The sheriff’s department noted that the family lives out of state, and they are not releasing their names nor where they live.
‘This family is so blessed. It’s great to be able to respond to good news rather than what could have been a tragic outcome,’ the sheriff’s department said.