A dramatic search-saving operation on the Ionian Sea has ended with the rescue of a 44-year-old woman who had spent almost a day at sea after falling from a cruise ship traveling to Italy.
According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, the woman, a citizen of El Salvador, was found alive in the early hours of Saturday, October 10th, about 70 nautical miles southwest of the Greek island of Zakynthos.
The incident occurred on Friday, October 9th, when the luxury ship Odyssey of the Seas, owned by the Royal Caribean company, was travelling from Mykonos Island to Naples in Italy.
According to the specialised Royal Caribbean Blog portal, the woman disappeared during the early hours of the morning. After its absence was confirmed, the ship changed direction and began researching the area where it was suspected of falling into water.
The operation was joined by the Greek Coast Guard, an Air Force helicopter, patrol ships, and several nearby commercial vehicles.
According to Greek Public Television ERT, the woman was located by a cargo ship that was participating in research. She was aware when she was found and was later taken from a Coastal Watchtower rescue device.
The Greek newspaper Ta Nea reported that 44-year-old was inside a rescue device when it was discovered by the commercial ship M SC Rosella III. Authorities also published images from the rescue operation.
The woman was transported to the port of Katakolo and then to a hospital in Pyrgos for medical examination. Reports of specialised media on sea travel show that it suffered from hypothermia but was in stable condition.
The captain of the Odyssey ship of the Sea confirmed salvation through a passenger announcement. According to Royal Carebean Blog, he told travelers that the woman was found alive and had managed to walk on her own after arriving on shore.
Research also affected the navigational route. The ship, which was carrying out a seven - day journey to the Mediterranean, cancelled the planned stop in Naples and continued toward the port of Citivecchia, near Rome.
The Royal Caribbean company confirmed that it had immediately launched a search operation in co-operation with authorities and that it was offering support to passenger family members.
The exact circumstances of how the woman ended up at sea have not yet been clarified. Greek authorities are investigating the incident, while it has not been confirmed whether it was about an accident or deliberate action.
Salvation in the open sea has attracted attention after so many hours because of major dangers posed by water temperatures, physical fatigue, and prolonged exposure to sea conditions.
For the 44-year-old, tourist travel to the Mediterranean ended with an extraordinary survival experience, while co-ordinated intervention of rescue teams enabled her to return alive to the coast.
