How does one fall overboard?
 

I haven't had the luxury of having an outside cabin but I just can't figure out how that young couple BOTH fell overboard unless they were playing chicken on the railing. Kudos to Princess & the rescue team. Just reminded me of another story about a railing...remember that woman in North Vancouver, BC who claims that she accidentally dropped her baby over the Capilano Suspension Bridge? I've been on that bridge and the railing is quite high. Who knows why anyone would "accidentally" hold their baby over a railing 230 feet above a river. Does anyone know what happened to her?

I asked similar question - see overboard on Princess thread here. We just returned from cruise having balcony cabin. Would have to work at it to fall overboard - impossible if feet were on ground - would have to stand on something like railing or table.

Story on cnn.com does not give any more insight.

I was going to ask this same question. We have cruised several times, always with a balcony. You would have to make a concerted effort to fall overboard, by climbing up to the railing & pushing off.

I couldn't believe that they were found several hours later - I wonder if they were wearing their life vests; or how else were they able to stay afloat for so long?

Maybe they were fat - fat people float longer than skinny people. I read article just the other day about some guy that fell off and they found him like 5-6 hours later several miles from where he fell in. The report said the only thing that probably saved him was that we was quite fat and that helped him float better.

So, is that an excuse for repeated trips to the buffet? In case I fall off the ship I will float better - bring on the food - feed me till I burst.

Also just returned from a cruise and had a balcony. No way one "falls" off a balcony. News reports said the girl was reported dancing on tables in one of the bars earlier in the night. The boy was nude when picked up. Think alcohol and MAYBE drugs was involved? They should be charged for the expense of Coast Guard etc.!!!

I do hope that they will both be escorted off the ship at the first possible port.

In reality, they will enjoy the rest of their cruise, probably get all their money refunded & sue Princess & win!

In the news, they said they fell over the railing, not off the balcony. Probably, the promenade.

One probably is drunk and standing on a table on their balcony when they lose balance.

Thatw ould be my guess.

When they pulled the guy outa the water he was....neked!! I would be curious as to how much Princess will bill them for the stay in the infirmary...No doubt, in th eunlikely event they even had insurance, the stay would no tbe covered.

Well I suppose they got a bit "frisky" and went a bit, ah overboard. :D. There I said it. :D

Well, it is impressive that they actually survived.Fifty to sixty foot fall to begin with, 6 ft swells amd wind gusts of 30mph, for 4 hours....

That's what my husband said, BB. How does one survive for 4 hours in the ocean/gulf?

My sister and her family were on the Carnival Glory that buddy "fell" overboard from. Apparently, he and his travel companion were seen arguing throughout the week, and my sister suspects he had "help" to go over. I cant imagine treading water for 8 hours, but he was a big guy so he floated perhaps in the salt water. The "episode" put the ship 3 hrs. behind.......fools!

I saw a clip on this couple yesterday morning.The girl got off at the first stop.She was put in a ambulance and taken to the hospital for further "treatment". The guy continued on the cruise, looking quite fit and healthy as he disembarked.But wouldnt answer any questions.A fellow passenger said they had been playing "Titanic", standing up on the railing of the balcony.She lost her balance and fell.Then he jumped in, trying to save her maybe? I think this is the correct spelling of..."dufus"...

Our son and DL were on that ship. Waiting to get a first hand report. In a brief phone call Sunday AM, he reported that ship turn around and then completely shut down so that the ship hopefully drifted at the same rate as the people. The girl was pulled out earlier but for over an hour he could hear the guy shouting, "I am here." The runabouts were out but just could not spot him in the dark. When they finally found him he was nearly exhausted and probably would not have lasted much longer.

Being naked may mean that he was smart. A survival technique in warm waters is to shed clothing. Wet clothing weighs you down or you can take pants, tie the legs and top and blow in to creat a floatation aid.

If I get more good, first hand info, I will post it.

Amazing that people could be that stupid.

Please keep us posted.

A little more info. The girl was a CU student and the guy an Air Force Cadet which may explain his knowledge of water survival techniques. She fell, he jumped which again explains why she was slightly more injured. Because they were making a lot of noise and partying on the balcony, another passenager three decks up and a couple cabins to the right, took a pictures just as she fell. With the time stamp on the digtal picture the ship was able to return to the exact spot where they went overboard. A very lucky break for the swimmers.

If he was a military cadet, my guess he was in good shape as well, and not overweight. Has there been any more info on this and how he managed to stay afloat?

People Mag has a feature in this week's...Yes, he is in good shape, and yes he pulled his clothes off so he could stay afloat.One of the witnesses in the cabin with them said he was on the balcony.She came running out, took a flyin leap so as to land piggby back on him.She hit him but not square and as she was falling off, he grabbed her by the leg.He apparently lost his grip and fell in after her.She is small framed and sustained some injuries, ribs, etc.BTW, the party trashed the cabin.He continued on the cruise,partying,gambling, raising he$% in true Spring Break fashion.What I find curious is why the Air Force Academy would issue a statement on his behalf.The statement said there would be no further "interviews", according to a witness, meaning the interview with People Mag was the one and only.

What I find curious is that the Air Force would allow him to continue as a cadet.

He should be expelled.