A 51-year-old father-of-four tragically died on Boxing Day after jumping from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic in the Caribbean, despite his family’s desperate attempts to restrain him.
Dan McGilvray, a financial advisor from Broomfield, Colorado, reportedly overpowered his family members, including his 75-year-old mother, before leaping from the balcony of the cruise ship at approximately 3 pm.
McGilvray is said to have screamed, “I can’t take it anymore,” before plunging into the sea.
The incident unfolded as the ship sailed near the Bahamas.
Failed rescue efforts
The Norwegian Epic immediately halted its journey to initiate search and rescue operations.
Efforts by the Royal Bahamas Police Force and OPBAT, a multi-agency rescue unit, were unsuccessful.
“Preliminary reports indicate that despite attempts to restrain him, he jumped from a balcony into the sea. Rescue efforts…proved fruitless in locating him,”
Police statement
The ship eventually diverted to Nassau, where the Royal Bahamas Police Force concluded their search.
A GoFundMe campaign launched to support McGilvray’s wife, Heather, and their four sons has raised over $36,000 (£29,000) to assist the family during this difficult time.
The campaign described McGilvray as “brilliant, honest, hardworking, funny and devoted to his family and friends.”
It continued: “Dan was the primary provider for their family, and the next year will be incredibly difficult for Heather to support her boys and learn to live without Dan. Thank you for honouring his legacy with any support you can provide.”
Norwegian Cruise Line issued a statement offering condolences.
“The guest was traveling with a large group and his family on board is being attended to and supported during this very challenging situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”
NCL statement
McGilvray’s death is being investigated by authorities in the Bahamas, who suspect a possible reaction to medication prescribed for seizures may have contributed to the distressing event.
While rare, it’s not unheard of for people to jump from a cruise ship, although when it does happen it often occurs overnight, implying that alcohol may be a factor.
There were other incidents in December 2024, including a woman who attempted to jump from Sky Princess but instead hit a lifeboat and landed on a lower deck. Tragically she also lost her life.
It is extremely unlikely that anyone jumping from a ship could survive.
Incidents are almost always intentional too – there are railings in place to prevent anyone slipping and falling, and so only someone choosing to jump or acting unsafe by climbing on railings would be likely to fall.
It also highlights how jumping overboard is a very serious issue, and not one to be trivialised – as this TikTok content creator found out after a huge backlash to her onboard ‘prank’ when she told a crew member she was going to jump off the ship.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
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