The woman was found clinging to a flotation device after spending nearly 24 hours at sea. (Credit: Hellenic Coast Guard)
Woman found floating in sea after going overboard Royal Caribbean ship
by Louis Casiano · Fox NewsNEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A woman who went overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was rescued after spending 20 hours in the water clinging to a lifebuoy, the Hellenic Coast Guard said.
The 44-year-old Salvadoran national was traveling aboard Odyssey of the Seas as it sailed through the Ionian Sea near the island of Zakynthos on Saturday, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs told USA Today.
The cargo ship MSC Rossella III was assisting in the search and spotted the woman inside the bright orange lifebuoy in dark waters. The vessel alerted authorities, and a Greek Coast Guard crew arrived to toss her ropes and pull her to safety.
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The woman reportedly told authorities she jumped off the ship because she "wanted to disembark," a Coast Guard spokesperson told Agence France-Presse, adding that "she was 20 hours at sea."
Following her rescue, she was transported to the port of Katakolo and brought to a local hospital, where a prosecutor ordered a psychiatric evaluation, according to the Hellenic Coast Guard.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Royal Caribbean for comment.
The incident follows a similar stunt last year when a man jumped off Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in an attempt to evade nearly $17,000 in gambling debt.
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The passenger, Jey Gonzalez-Diaz, survived the jump and was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.