Following a startling incident out at sea, here's everything we know so far about the heroic father who jumped overboard to save his daughter after she fell from a Disney cruise ship.
The terrifying incident happened on Sunday (June 29), on the Disney Dream, as the ship was returning to Fort Lauderdale from a four-night Bahamian cruise that included a stop at Disney’s private island, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Passengers were alerted to the emergency when the ship’s intercom sounded the code “Mr. M.O.B.” (man overboard), prompting the crew to launch a rescue operation, according to the Daily Mail.
It remains unclear how the child fell from Deck 4, which features a walking track lined with plexiglass safety barriers.
In a selfless split-second decision, the girl’s father leapt into the Atlantic Ocean after her, determined to keep her afloat while the Disney Dream - which can travel at speeds of up to 25 mph while in service - continued to move, leaving them drifting farther and farther from the vessel.
Passenger Kevin Furuta shared a post about the incident on Facebook, which read: “On the last day of our Dream voyage, and it is an at Sea Day. A girl fell overboard from the 4th deck & her dad went in after her. Right after the incident, we heard on the loud speaker MOB Port side!! Thankfully the DCL rescue team was on it immediately and both were saved!"
Another passenger, Dewayne Smith, wrote: “We are on the Disney Dream at sea today and just witnessed a first on a cruise. A little girl fell overboard and her dad jumped overboard to try to save her. Man overboard calls went up immediately. The Disney crew went into action asap. Lots of praying folks on this ship! Both the little girl and dad were both successfully rescued!”
Passenger Janice Martin-Asuque described the emotional moment, saying: “It was so intense to watch,” while noting the collective relief that swept across the ship when the father and daughter were safely brought aboard the rescue vessel.
Crew Launches Rapid Rescue
Within minutes, Disney crew members launched a bright yellow rescue boat into the ocean.
Passengers reported that the father managed to keep his daughter above the waves while treading water for nearly 20 minutes as the rescue team navigated rough seas to reach them.
“Ten-ish minutes later, a lifeboat drops and they find the people within 3-5 minutes of that. The man treaded water for at least 20 minutes,” one observer noted online.
In a statement published by USA TODAY, Disney Cruise Line praised its crew’s quick response: “The crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water. 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.”
How Common Are Overboard Incidents?
Overboard incidents on cruise ships are rare but often fatal.
Per Newsweek, a 2022 report from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) found there are roughly 20 to 25 overboard incidents per year across an industry that sees over 25 million passengers annually, equating to about one incident per million cruisers.
Between 2009 and 2019, 212 people reportedly went overboard, with only 48 rescued, suggesting a survival rate of 28.2%, according to Cruise Lines International Association data.
The Disney Dream, launched in 2011 and last refurbished in 2024, is one of Disney Cruise Line’s largest ships, capable of carrying up to 4,000 passengers.
As reported by Forbes, the company's financial statements reveal that the Dream cost $760 million and - at the time of its launch - was the biggest cruise ship in Disney's fleet, at around 130,000 tons and consisting of 1,250 rooms.
It is equipped with overboard detection systems that alert crew members in real-time, aiding rapid emergency responses like the one seen in this incident.
Following the rescue, the Disney Dream resumed its course back to Port Everglades, Florida, with both the father and daughter safely on board.
A passenger summed up the sentiment felt by many on the ship: “It’s a miracle they are both OK, especially if the ship was moving. Amazing rescue!”