Dad Dives Into Ocean From Cruise Ship To Save Daughter Who Went Overboard

Emergency personnel rescued two people Sunday on the Disney Dream cruise ship after a father jumped into the ocean to save his daughter who went overboard.

The incident took place as the ship was on its way back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after a four-night trip to the Bahamas, Disney officials told Newsweek.

“We heard an m.o.b [man overboard] call over the ship’s speaker. A little girl had fallen into the water, and her father jumped in after to save her,” a witness wrote on Facebook. “Huge respect to the Disney Dream crew for their quick response. Thank God they’re both safe.”

Footage obtained by ABC 7 shows a crew in a rescue boat approaching people in the water before they can be seen lifting the two individuals onto the boat.

An unofficial Disney Dream Cruise Ship group Facebook group posted that the girl fell from the fourth deck of the cruise ship and the father dived after her. (RELATED: Mother Who Can’t Swim Falls Overboard On Last Day Of Royal Caribbean Cruise With Family, Officials Say)

One witness told CBS News that the two were in the water for 20 minutes.

“I saw the mother crying, but when they rescued them, I think that’s when the tears really started flowing, because she was just so overjoyed,” a witness said. “I prayed to God to save them. And he did.”

“It just took everybody’s breath away to be honest with you, so very nerve-racking to say the least,” a man told the outlet. “But, as a father, like I said I would’ve done the same thing.”

Disney Cruise Line issued a statement to Newsweek. “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,” the company said.

The ship is back on route to Port Everglades, Florida, after rescuing the father and daughter.

There was an average of 19 overboard incidents each year from 2009 to 2019, according to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association released in March 2020. Between those years, there were a total of 212 overboard incidents with 48 successful rescues.

The Disney Dream cruise ship launched for the first time in 2011 and can hold up to 4,000 passengers, according to Blissful Travel Escapes.