Hi everyone! I’m Christy Collins, the safety officer on a large cruise ship, and I want to share a recent incident that reminded me how important it is to stay vigilant, even on the “safest” voyages.

At the end of June, a little girl slipped overboard from the fourth deck. Her father jumped in immediately and stayed with her in the water for nearly twenty minutes until the crew launched a rescue boat and brought them both back on board just minutes after the alarm went off . Imagine the panic and fear in that moment—but thanks to our man-overboard detection system and a well-drilled team, what could have been a tragedy ended safely.

From this event, I learned a few simple but crucial lessons. First, never leave children unattended near railings. On cruise ships, many people assume “everything’s under control” and let kids roam free while adults relax. But even a second of inattention can lead to disaster.

Second, technology can’t replace human awareness. Our man-overboard system is fantastic, but it won’t help if no one notices a hazard or forgets to check the gear. Every evening, when you take your watch, remember that your job isn’t just to push a “all clear” button—you should also walk the deck, look under benches, and make sure nothing will slow down an emergency response.

Finally, remind passengers of the basics: explain at the safety briefing that even calm-looking water can be deadly, and falling several meters from a deck is life-threatening. Encourage parents to take personal responsibility for their children’s safety.

This incident could have ended in tragedy, but the father’s quick action and our crew’s professionalism saved a life. Take care of each other, follow the simple rules, and may all your voyages be happy ones!