A young girl fell off a Disney Dream Cruise ship, prompting her heroic father to dive in to rescue her. Both were recovered from the water “within minutes.”
According to a report by USA Today, the incident occurred on Sunday, June 29. The Disney Dream was en route to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a 4-night cruise. Per The Street, several passengers heard the emergency code “Mr. M.O.B.” over the broadcast system while the vessel was traveling. The code reportedly means “man overboard.”
USA Today also cites eyewitnesses who allegedly say the young girl fell from the fourth deck. Her dad dived in afterward. It remains unclear how the child fell into the water, as the vessel has safety measures, including plexiglass barriers.
One passenger, @noeayala32, shared dramatic footage of the rescue on TikTok.
Crew members approach the pair floating in the water in a bright yellow boat. The vessel pulls up alongside them, and staff quickly pull them onboard one at a time. You can hear witnesses clapping when the rescue team recovers the passengers.
The TikTok user shared another video of the boat returning to the cruise ship with the father and daughter on board.
The Youngster Reportedly Fell From An Open Air Deck On The Disney Ship
A report by the New York Post points out that the fourth deck is one of the closest to the water on the Disney Dream. It’s reportedly home to a theater and an outdoor running track. The deck is open air, with chest-high railings for an adult. Those same railings should be taller than a young child with protective panels to prevent climbing.
A spokesperson for Disney Cruise provided a statement to USA Today, which reads, “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. We are committed to the safety and well-being of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”
Like many other cruise liners, the Disney Dream reportedly has an ‘overboard detection system’ that alerts the crew if somebody falls overboard so they can immediately take action.