What Really Happens When Someone Goes Missing or Gets Murdered on a Cruise Ship?

Netflix’s new thriller “The Woman in Cabin 10” has cruise lovers wondering about ship safety. The movie shows a journalist who thinks she witnessed someone going overboard during the night. But what would really happen in this scary situation?

Let’s look at the real protocols cruise ships follow when passengers go missing or crimes happen at sea.

Missing Passenger Protocol: Ships Do Turn Around

If someone sees a person go overboard, cruise ships have clear emergency steps. Maritime attorney Michael Winkleman explains the process simply: “turn around the vessel to go back exactly where the person was and look for them.”

But ships don’t always turn around right away. If nobody actually saw someone fall overboard, the crew searches the entire ship first. This makes sense from a practical standpoint.

“So, if they’re not seen, then they will initiate a search of the vessel so that they don’t expend the huge amount of effort to turn around and look for someone who is actually sitting in the bar having a cocktail,” Winkleman told USA TODAY.

These ship-wide searches can take several hours. The crew checks every public area, restaurant, and entertainment venue. Only after confirming someone is truly missing will they turn the ship around and call for help.

Coast Guard Calls Are Real Protocol

The Netflix movie gets one thing right. Ships really do call the Coast Guard or other maritime authorities when someone goes missing. This isn’t just Hollywood drama – it’s required emergency protocol.

Once a person is confirmed missing, the crew contacts relevant authorities. They also turn the ship around to search the water where the person was last seen.

Modern cruise ships have better detection systems now. Some newer vessels have cameras and sensors that can spot when someone goes overboard.

Crime Scene Investigation at Sea

When crew members suspect foul play, ship security takes charge. These security teams become the police force until the ship reaches port. They have real authority to investigate crimes and make arrests.

“If they have a suspect, (the security personnel) can take that person into custody, keep them in custody — basically put them in jail on the ship,” Winkleman explained.

Ship security follows standard crime scene procedures. They quarantine the area and try to preserve evidence. They also notify authorities at the next port and relevant maritime agencies.

Most large cruise ships have holding cells for situations like this. Suspects can be detained until the ship reaches a port where local authorities take over.

Who Investigates Crimes at Sea?

This gets complicated fast. Multiple factors determine which country’s laws apply when crimes happen on cruise ships.

The FBI explains that U.S. jurisdiction depends on several things:

• Where the ship is located when the crime happens
• Who owns the vessel
• Where the ship is registered (its “flag state”)
• The nationality of victims and suspects

“Generally, the U.S. has jurisdiction over crimes committed on a ship if the crime occurs within the maritime jurisdiction of the United States and the vessel is owned, in whole or in part, by a U.S. person or company,” the FBI website states.

U.S. authorities also have jurisdiction over crimes involving American citizens. This applies even on foreign ships if the voyage started or ends in a U.S. port.

Maritime attorney Winkleman admits jurisdiction can be “murky.” But he compares it to overlapping police authority on land. State police, county sheriffs, and federal agents might all have some jurisdiction depending on the situation.

Multiple Agencies May Respond

When serious crimes happen at sea, several agencies often get involved. The Coast Guard handles search and rescue operations. The FBI investigates crimes involving U.S. citizens or ships. Local authorities at ports of call also play a role.

Foreign maritime authorities may also investigate if the ship is in their waters. This can create complex legal situations with multiple investigations happening simultaneously.

Real-World Crime Statistics

Cruise ship crimes do happen, but they’re relatively rare given the millions of passengers who cruise each year. The cruise industry reports crime statistics to the FBI quarterly. Most incidents involve theft, assault, or sexual crimes rather than homicides.

Missing passenger cases also occur occasionally. Some involve accidents, while others remain unsolved mysteries. The cruise industry has improved safety measures and reporting procedures in recent years.

Modern Safety Improvements

Today’s cruise ships have better safety features than older vessels. New technologies help prevent and detect overboard incidents. Some ships use thermal cameras and motion sensors around deck areas.

Crew training has also improved. Staff learn to respond quickly to missing passenger reports and preserve crime scenes properly. Better communication systems help ships contact authorities faster when emergencies happen.

What This Means for Cruise Travelers

While cruise ship crimes grab headlines, millions of passengers cruise safely every year. Understanding these protocols can help travelers feel more confident about cruise safety.

The cruise industry takes security seriously and works closely with law enforcement agencies. Ships have trained security staff and clear procedures for handling emergencies and crimes.

Travelers can take basic precautions like staying aware of their surroundings and traveling in groups when exploring ports. But the elaborate murder mystery scenarios in movies like “The Woman in Cabin 10” remain rare in real life.

The Netflix thriller may be fiction, but it shows that cruise ships do have real protocols for handling emergencies and crimes at sea. These procedures help protect passengers and ensure proper investigation when bad things happen.