Disney Cruise Passenger Drowns at Private Island

Jan115 · March 2, 2015

Bahamian authorities are investigating the apparent drowning death of a 38-year-old cruise ship passenger from New York, according to Tribute 242.

The man was on a five-night cruise aboard Disney Wonder that departed from Miami and sailed to the Bahamas. The apparent drowning occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Thursday off Disney’s private Castaway Cay in the Bahamas’ Abacos Islands. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.

Crew and medical staff responded swiftly to the incident and the company is working with Bahamian authorities in the investigation, said Disney spokeswoman Angela Bliss.

Meanwhile, there are reports of another incident Sunday, according to Cruise Law News, where a passenger from Disney Fantasy snorkeling near Castaway Cay needed to be medavaced for medical treatment in a Coast Guard helicopter.

No word on how close lifeguards were to the victims, but training is rigorous for the 1,200-plus lifeguards working at Disney facilities and ships. As stated in the Walt Disney Report on Safety, "lifeguards must complete a thorough training program that exceeds most U.S. standards and includes both a water-skills test and up to 24 hours of basic training in water rescue techniques, CPR, basic first aid, oxygen administration and the use of AEDs. After completion of basic training, lifeguards must also perform four hours of in-service training each month, undergo eight hours of recertification training every year and participate in frequent unannounced audits by one of the world's premier aquatic safety service providers."

Souce: Michael Isenbek (TravelPulse, "Cruise Ship Passenger Drowns at Bahamian Disney Island")

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Featured photo credit: J. Neves

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