Disney cruise passenger details rescue of two fellow guests: 'Brought me to tears'
'My mom and I looked at (each other) and were like, 'That's got to be bad' because they made an announcement in our stateroom,' Young, 42, told USA TODAY. 'And we Googled what M.O.B. meant.'
When they learned it stood for 'man overboard,' the pair, who were on vacation with Young's two daughters, husband and other family members, ran out on their balcony on the Disney Dream. Young saw crew members 'scurrying' up and down the side of the ship and three orange rings being tossed into the water, and the vessel started turning.
The ship sent out a rescue boat, she said, and as it returned, the Hinckley, Ohio resident, saw a child and a man onboard, pumping his arm up and down mouthing, 'We're all OK.'
The father and daughter were rescued after she fell in and he jumped in after her.
'I mean, it just brought me to tears to see both of them on there, sitting up, moving, conscious, and trying to tell everybody that they're okay,' said Young.
"The Crew aboard the Disney Dream swiftly rescued two guests from the water," a Disney Cruise Line spokesperson previously told USA TODAY in a statement. "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."
The cruise line did not immediately respond to an additional request for comment on Young's experience.
Cruises see a fair amount of overboards: Are ships equipped?
Do cruise lines have overboard detection systems?
Disney cruise ships are all equipped with overboard detection systems, which can help cut down response times by notifying crew members. At least one such system developed for vessels or other maritime structures uses thermal cameras and micro radars to detect those kinds of incidents.
The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2010 requires passenger vessels sailing in the U.S. to "integrate technology that can be used for capturing images of passengers or detecting passengers who have fallen overboard, to the extent that such technology is available."
Brian Salerno, then senior vice president of global maritime policy for Cruise Lines International Association, told USA TODAY in 2023 that there weren't reliable products of that type available when the CVSSA was passed. In the years since, a number of companies have worked to create more dependable technology.
Salerno said at the time that a number of cruise ships had installed the systems, but many operators have not disclosed that information publicly.
Young, who has taken cruises before, said the incident isn't likely to deter her in the future. 'I feel like Disney did a great job,' she said. 'I feel like they have great safety precautions in place.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
2 $1 million lottery prizes go unclaimed in Virginia, Idaho
Winning the lottery is a dream scenario for many, apparently, except for two lucky ticket holders who didn't claim their jackpots and missed their chance to become millionaires. Officials with the Idaho Lottery and the Virginia Lottery confirmed to USA TODAY that two $1 million prizes went unclaimed with their claiming period expiring on Monday, June 30. The ticket in Virginia won the state's New Year's Millionaire Raffle drawing on Jan. 1, 2025, while the ticket in Idaho is from last winter's Idaho $1,000,000 Raffle. The unclaimed prize in Idaho became the fourth $1 million winning draw ticket in the state's lottery history to go unclaimed and the first in more than a decade. Now that the prizes have gone unclaimed, Idaho officials said the funds will go toward the state's public schools and the 'State of Idaho's permanent buildings – like those on our college campuses.' In Virginia, the money will go into the state's Literary Fund, which officials said provides low-interest loans to cities for 'public school construction, renovations and technology upgrades.' Where can you buy lottery tickets? Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer. Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800- GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse/ USA TODAY Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Texas wildlife center says it was given 60 days to move or shut down
A group of animal caregivers in the Lone Star State said they need the public's support after city officials gave them an ultimatum to either relocate or close their doors. The North Texas Wildlife Center, in a June 28 Instagram post, said it is "at risk of being shut down." "At this time, our organization is striving to be as resilient as the wildlife we care for," the North Texas Wildlife Center posted on its Facebook page Tuesday, July 1. "We need your voice. We need your action. We need your support." The facility, according to its website, helps rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured "native Texas wildlife." The center needs a new facility with outdoor space to continue helping local wildlife, the center's spokesperson, Rebecca Hamlin, confirmed to USA TODAY. Hamlin said the center, the biggest multispecies wildlife center in North Texas, operates out of a house its founders and president previously purchased. The center is permitted for all native wildlife, ranging from opossums, skunks, raccoons to songbirds, waterfowl, reptiles, and amphibians, Hamlin said. The facility, which consists of 50 volunteers and five staff members, has taken in more than 2,600 sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife since Jan. 1, a 50% increase since last year, according to Hamlin. "Our onsite team is caring for 200 animals daily and around the clock," Hamlin said. "Between offsite rehabbers (we have 50), we have 600 animals under our care for rehab to release back into the wild." Hamlin confirmed that the center's goal is to raise $250,000, and as of July 1, it had raised about $100,000. "We started fundraising for a bigger facility in April," she said. According to the center's June 28 Instagram post, it received a phone call from the City of Plano's Business Department informing the facility it was "not permitted to operate a facility that generates foot traffic from a residential area." "As a result, we have 60 days to find a new location or we will be forced to close our doors," the post continues. USA TODAY reached out to the City of Plano on July 1 but has not received a response. If a new location is not found within 60 days, the center will close, according to facility leaders. "This isn't about us − it's about the countless injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals we care for each year, our volunteers who dedicate their time, and the community we serve every day," the Instagram post reads. "We're now in a race against the clock to secure a new property that fits city requirements." In addition to the donations, the center asked the public to share any information on "available properties, land, or partnerships that could help (them) relocate." The Facebook post includes links that allow people to help the center. Rehabilitation Wishlist: Volunteer Snack Wishlist: Purchase SWAG: To donate cash: PayPal: Cash app: $NTXWC Zelle: accounting@ Venmo: Mailing address: North Texas Wildlife Center, PO Box 830212, Richardson, TX 75083 Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: North Texas Wildlife Center says it has 60 days to move or close
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas wildlife center says it was given 60 days to move or shut down
The North Texas Wildlife Center, according to its website, helps rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured "native Texas wildlife." A group of animal caregivers in the Lone Star State said they need the public's support after city officials gave them an ultimatum to either relocate or close their doors. The North Texas Wildlife Center, in a June 28 Instagram post, said it is "at risk of being shut down." "At this time, our organization is striving to be as resilient as the wildlife we care for," the North Texas Wildlife Center posted on its Facebook page Tuesday, July 1. "We need your voice. We need your action. We need your support." The facility, according to its website, helps rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured "native Texas wildlife." The center needs a new facility with outdoor space to continue helping local wildlife, the center's spokesperson, Rebecca Hamlin, confirmed to USA TODAY. Hamlin said the center, the biggest multispecies wildlife center in North Texas, operates out of a house its founders and president previously purchased. What kind of animals are at North Texas Wildlife Center? The center is permitted for all native wildlife, ranging from opossums, skunks, raccoons to songbirds, waterfowl, reptiles, and amphibians, Hamlin said. The facility, which consists of 50 volunteers and five staff members, has taken in more than 2,600 sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife since Jan. 1, a 50% increase since last year, according to Hamlin. "Our onsite team is caring for 200 animals daily and around the clock," Hamlin said. "Between offsite rehabbers (we have 50), we have 600 animals under our care for rehab to release back into the wild." Hamlin confirmed that the center's goal is to raise $250,000, and as of July 1, it had raised about $100,000. "We started fundraising for a bigger facility in April," she said. How long does the center have to find a new location? According to the center's June 28 Instagram post, it received a phone call from the City of Plano's Business Department informing the facility it was "not permitted to operate a facility that generates foot traffic from a residential area." "As a result, we have 60 days to find a new location or we will be forced to close our doors," the post continues. USA TODAY reached out to the City of Plano on July 1 but has not received a response. If a new location is not found within 60 days, the center will close, according to facility leaders. "This isn't about us − it's about the countless injured, orphaned, and displaced wild animals we care for each year, our volunteers who dedicate their time, and the community we serve every day," the Instagram post reads. "We're now in a race against the clock to secure a new property that fits city requirements." In addition to the donations, the center asked the public to share any information on "available properties, land, or partnerships that could help (them) relocate." How to help North Texas Wildlife Center The Facebook post includes links that allow people to help the center. To donate cash: Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
