Odyssey of the Seas Passenger Rescued After 20 Hours at Sea
MSC Rossella III located her after its crew spotted a flashing light attached to her flotation device, and Coast Guard personnel took her to Katakolo for hospital transfer in Pyrgos.
A 44-year-old passenger from El Salvador was rescued after spending about 20 hours in the Ionian Sea following an overboard incident on Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas southwest of Zakynthos, Greece. A cargo vessel spotted her conscious in a life ring early on October 10, 2026, and a Hellenic Coast Guard rescue vessel brought her aboard.
The overnight search involved Greek authorities, the cruise ship and merchant vessels, under the coordination of the Hellenic Coast Guard’s Joint Search and Rescue Coordination Center. The operation also forced Odyssey of the Seas to cancel its final scheduled port call in Naples, Italy.
Royal Caribbean Group confirmed its involvement in a statement issued before the passenger was found. “We immediately launched a search and rescue effort and are working with authorities,” the company said.
“Our Care Team is actively providing support and assistance to the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” it added, declining to disclose further details on privacy grounds.
Flashing life ring light led rescuers to the passenger
Authorities were alerted early on Friday, October 9, while the Bahamas-flagged cruise ship was approximately 72 nautical miles southwest of Zakynthos. Two Coast Guard vessels and a military helicopter were dispatched, while commercial ships in the surrounding area changed course to assist.
The cargo vessel MSC Rossella III located the passenger after its crew spotted a flashing light attached to her flotation device. The ship alerted the Coast Guard to her position, approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of the island.
Video released by the Coast Guard shows rescuers approaching the woman in darkness as she floats inside an orange life ring. A crew member throws a rope toward her, then makes a second attempt after the first falls beyond her reach.
Coast Guard personnel provided first aid before taking her to Katakolo, a mainland port in the western Peloponnese. She was transferred by ambulance to a hospital in nearby Pyrgos for medical observation and testing. A local prosecutor also ordered a psychiatric evaluation.
Passengers said the ship’s captain subsequently told guests she was being treated for hypothermia. Authorities have not publicly confirmed that diagnosis or released a detailed medical assessment, and the passenger’s name has not been disclosed.
Final port day replaced by a day at sea
Odyssey of the Seas was operating a seven-night Greek Isles voyage that departed Civitavecchia, the port serving Rome, on October 4. It was travelling from Mykonos toward Naples when the emergency occurred.
Passengers posting on Reddit said the vessel spent roughly 14 hours participating in the search before resuming its journey toward Italy late on Friday. Guests spent October 10 at sea.
The ship returned to Civitavecchia on October 11 without a change to the scheduled disembarkation date. No disruption to the following seven-night Greek Isles sailing was announced.
How she entered the water remains unconfirmed
A Greek Coast Guard spokesperson told AFP that the passenger said she jumped because she “wanted to disembark.” Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the overboard was accidental or deliberate, or how the passenger obtained the life ring. The Katakolo Port Authority is investigating the incident.
Historical figures compiled for Cruise Lines International Association by G.P. Wild (International) Limited recorded 212 overboard incidents involving passengers and crew worldwide between 2009 and 2019, with 48 people rescued. During that period, cruise capacity increased by 68%, while the incident rate fell by nearly 35%.
