Francel Parker, the distraught father of Levion Parker, who took a perilous leap from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last week, maintains a glimmer of hope amid the grim reality of a halted search.
Levion, described by his father as a skilled diver, plunged off the Liberty of the Seas vessel into the waters near the Bahamas, triggering a frantic series of events and leaving witnesses stunned.
Desperate Search After Royal Caribbean Incident
Francel Parker, the father of Levion Parker, expressed his unwavering belief that his son, whom he lauded as a proficient diver, remains alive in the waters near the Bahamas.
"As soon as he went off the side, I prayed over him. I was confident the prayers I said over my son were heard. I stand on the word of God. I believe he is alive," Parker conveyed to the local Florida paper on Wednesday.
The US Coast Guard concluded its search for the North Port man a day earlier, following reports that the younger Parker had jumped off the 18-story Liberty of the Seas ship at approximately 4 a.m. in front of his father and younger brother during an altercation.
Contrary to accounts suggesting a heated argument preceding the incident, Parker, who manages an AC business in Port Charlotte, clarified to the local newspaper that there was no argument with Levion and that his son did not intend to harm himself.
He emphasized Levion's expertise as a diver, employed on a commercial fishing vessel, and voiced his demand for an investigation into how his underage son was served alcohol on the four-day cruise to Cuba and the Bahamas' Grand Inagua Island.
"We don't drink," Parker asserted. "I'd like to know how my son was served so much alcohol." Another passenger onboard the cruise corroborated Parker's concern about Levion's intoxicated state, recalling Parker's admonishment for being drunk.
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Concerns Raised Over Alcohol Service and Safety on Cruises
Levoin Parker leaped overboard on the Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas cruise on April 4, just after 4 a.m.
The massive 18-story ship was navigating the waters between Cuba and the Bahamas' Grand Inagua Island when the incident unfolded, plunging the crew and passengers into a frantic search and rescue operation.
Responding swiftly, Royal Caribbean deployed search boats and promptly notified the Coast Guard to lead the search efforts for the 20-year-old individual, whose identity remains undisclosed at this time.
This incident, unfortunately, is not isolated, as data compiled by retired professor and cruise industry researcher Ross Klein reveals a troubling history of overboard incidents spanning from 2000 to 2024.
The sobering statistics shed light on the challenges faced by cruise lines in rescuing individuals who fall or jump overboard, with even the safest companies managing to rescue only about 40% of such cases, according to Klein's findings.
This stark reality underscores the complexities and limitations inherent in maritime safety protocols, prompting introspection within the cruise industry regarding alcohol policies and overall safety measures.
Francel Parker's concerns about his underage son being served alcohol during the ill-fated cruise echo broader issues of accountability and oversight, reigniting discussions about ensuring passenger safety and well-being.
As the search and rescue efforts continue amidst the grief and turmoil onboard, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the somber realities of overboard incidents at sea and the critical need for enhanced safety protocols and swift emergency response measures.
