Odyssey of the Seas passenger rescued after hours in Ionian Sea

A 44-year-old passenger from El Salvador survived approximately 20 hours in the Ionian Sea after going overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, according to the report.

In the early hours of October 10, the Madeira-flagged cargo ship MSC Rossella III reportedly detected the flashing light of a life ring about 70 nautical miles southwest of the Greek island of Zakynthos. The passenger was found alive and conscious inside the ring after drifting through the night.

Odyssey of the Seas also joined the response and followed search patterns for more than 12 hours, the report said. The Hellenic Coast Guard later released video showing the rescue.

A Coast Guard vessel took the woman aboard, administered first aid and transported her to the port of Katakolo. She was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Pyrgos, where she was treated for mild hypothermia and reported to be in stable condition.

According to the Coast Guard, the passenger later said she had jumped from the ship because she wanted to leave the vessel.