Passenger Falls Between Cruise Ship and Pier in Nassau

Cruise guests in Nassau witnessed an unexpected moment during Norwegian Encore’s visit when an incident on the pier drew sudden attention. What began as a routine stop quickly turned into a brief scene of concern as bystanders looked on to see what had happened beside the ship.

A sequence of three images showing a rescue beside Norwegian Encore. The first image shows crew members and port staff lowering a ladder near the gangway. The second image shows a man in the water between the ship and the pier holding onto the dockside edge. The third image shows Norwegian Encore sailing at sea. — Credit: Shenique Miller – The Conversation/ Facebook

What Happened in Nassau

The fall took place on Sunday, November 16, while Norwegian Encore was docked in Nassau after adjusting its itinerary. Eyewitnesses say the man appeared to have been on the dock or just climbed the ramp to get on the cruise ship when he fell overboard. In the video below, the man can be seen grabbing onto the buoy, trying to keep his head above water.

Norwegian Encore had not originally been scheduled to visit Nassau during this sailing. The ship left Miami on Saturday, November 15, for a week-long Eastern Caribbean itinerary that was meant to begin with a call to Great Stirrup Cay. Rough sea conditions made tendering unsafe, so the call was cancelled and the ship diverted to Nassau, where it could berth securely. This unexpected change placed the vessel at the pier where the incident occurred.

How the Crew Responded

Crew members reacted within moments once they realised the man had fallen into the water. They located a ladder positioned nearby and lowered it so he could climb out safely. The entire process took only a couple of minutes, and there were no signs of injury once he was back on the pier. Officials have not released any details about his identity or whether he was a guest or crew member.

How Passengers Can Fall From Piers

It is easier than many travellers might think to slip from a pier, even when a large ship is alongside. Vessels do not rest directly against the dock because this could damage both the hull and the pier, so thick rubber bumpers are floated between the two. These create gaps that can be several feet wide, and anyone who missteps near the edge could fall through.

Gangways are positioned over these gaps and are fitted with railings to prevent accidents, but the very end of a ramp can still be a vulnerable spot if someone loses their balance. A moment’s distraction, such as checking a phone or stumbling on an uneven surface, is enough to result in an unexpected fall. The bumpers help keep the ship from moving too close to the pier, so anyone in the water is unlikely to be crushed as long as they stay calm.

Other Recent Pier Incidents

This is not the only time a cruiser has ended up in the water beside a ship this year. In August 2025, a guest on a preview sailing of Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas stepped off the edge of the pier while filming the vessel and fell in.

Two months earlier in Juneau, an individual deliberately jumped from the pier, seemingly in an attempt to create a viral video. Occasional slips have also been linked to wet surfaces, unstable gangways, or poor weather, although these occurrences remain rare and are usually resolved quickly.

Final Word

Incidents like this serve as a reminder for guests to take extra care when walking along piers, especially near the edge or at the start of a gangway. Although such falls are uncommon and usually result in no injuries, staying aware of footing can make all the difference. For now, the man involved appears to be unharmed and Norwegian Encore continued its itinerary without further issues.