The father of Levion Parker, the 20-year-old passenger who leaped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last Thursday in what witnesses described as a drunken, impulsive act, maintains hope that his son is still alive nearly a week later.
Francel Parker, Levion’s father, shared his unwavering belief with the Daily Sun, expressing confidence that his son, whom he described as a skilled diver, remains alive in the waters off 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,” Francel Parker said to the local Florida paper on Wednesday.
The US Coast Guard suspended its search for the North Port man a day prior to Francel’s hopeful statement.
While witnesses recounted Levion’s leap from the 18-story Liberty of the Seas following an argument with his father, Francel disputes the notion of a dispute and denies any intention on Levion’s part to take his own life.
Francel, who operates an AC business in Port Charlotte, questions how his underage son was served alcohol on the cruise to Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island, emphasising that neither he nor Levion indulged in drinking.
“We don’t drink,” Francel asserted. “I’d like to know how my son was served so much alcohol.”
Another passenger onboard, Bryan Sims, recalled Levion’s father addressing him for being intoxicated before the incident occurred.
“As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess,” Sims recounted.
Sims described Levion’s sudden decision to jump as “surreal,” while another cruise guest, Deborah Morrison, noted the frantic atmosphere that ensued.
“There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” Morrison recounted. “His family was horrified. Just beside themselves. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through.”
Francel recounted throwing six life rings off the ship in an attempt to rescue his son before the vessel could halt about 20 minutes later.
Royal Caribbean promptly initiated search efforts and informed the Coast Guard, which assumed control of the search. According to data compiled by retired professor and cruise industry researcher Ross Klein, approximately 406 individuals have gone overboard from major cruise lines and ferries between 2000 and 2024.
