Statistics from maritime watchdog groups and the FBI indicate that, on average, approximately 20 to 25 people go missing from cruise ships every year. According to the "Report on Cruise Ship Operational Incidents," between 2000 and 2026, there have been nearly 400 documented cases of people going overboard. While this number seems high, it is a tiny fraction of the more than 30 million passengers who take cruises annually. Most "missing person" cases are eventually classified as "Man Overboard" (MOB) incidents, which are often the result of foul play, accidental falls while sitting on railings, or intentional acts. In 2026, modern cruise ships are equipped with advanced Thermal Man Overboard Detection Systems that use infrared cameras to instantly alert the bridge if a human-sized object falls from the ship, significantly increasing the chances of a successful rescue. However, if an incident occurs in the middle of the night in rough seas, the recovery rate remains low. The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) now requires all ships calling at U.S. ports to report missing persons and crimes to the FBI within hours, providing much more transparency than in previous decades.