Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Rescues Sinking Boat

Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas rescued an overcrowded boat with greater than 20 refugees, together with not less than one baby, on Thursday, December 15, 2022. All the refugees have been introduced safely aboard the cruise ship and transferred to the right authorities.

Symphony of the Seas Rescue

The Oasis-class Symphony of the Seas was having fun with a leisurely day at sea in transit from Cozumel to CocoCay on Thursday when a small craft overcrowded with refugees was noticed within the waters north of Cuba and southwest of Key West at roughly 4:30 p.m.

The cruise ship responded, sending out a small pilot craft to analyze. A complete of twenty-two refugees have been onboard the overcrowded craft, which seemed to be taking up water. The refugees have been waving their arms and in any other case making an attempt to draw consideration for a rescue.

The refugees, which appeared to incorporate not less than one girl and baby, have been transferred to the cruise ship, and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) was notified. Later within the day, the refugees have been transferred to the Coast Guard authorities.

While the Coast Guard didn’t affirm the nationality of the refugees, the Straits of Florida space between Cuba and the Florida Keys is usually a location the place people fleeing Cuba are situated, as Havana, Cuba and Key West, Florida are simply 103 miles (165 kilometers) aside.

This comparatively brief distance is tempting for determined people to try a crossing in any type of raft, rowboat, or makeshift watercraft, although they don’t seem to be usually seaworthy and don’t usually carry ample security gear or provides.

“Unfortunately in this area, this isn’t uncommon,” stated Petty Office Nicole Groll in a press release to News 5 WKRG.

These particular refugees have been lucky to be noticed by Symphony of the Seas. Onboard the cruise ship, they got meals, water, and medical consideration earlier than being transferred to USCG authorities. Under the authority of the USCG, refugees are usually repatriated to their dwelling nation.

At the time of the rescue, Symphony of the Seas was crusing a 7-night roundtrip Western Caribbean cruise that had departed from Miami on Saturday, December 10. The ship was not considerably delayed as a result of rescue because the incident occurred throughout a day at sea, and the ship is scheduled to return to Miami on December 17.

Many Rescues in Recent Months

At-sea rescues of refugee craft have risen in current months, as financial and political circumstances in several international locations compel folks to hunt a greater life for themselves and their households, regardless of the chance of crossing sometimes hazardous waters in makeshift boats or rafts.

In November, Disney Fantasy assisted in a refugee rescue in the identical basic space between Cuba and Florida after the refugee boat had capsized, whereas in mid-October, Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady rescued 17 Cuban refugees, once more in the identical space.

Just in 2022, related rescues have been made by Carnival Paradise (6 refugees in August, and 20 in late July); Norwegian Breakaway (20 refugees in mid-August); Carnival Sunrise (12 refugees on the finish of July); Mardi Gras (20 whole refugees in two separate June rescues); Celebrity Apex (3 refugees in late February); and different ships.

Maritime legislation requires that vessels lengthen emergency help to any craft in misery, whether or not by taking stranded people aboard a stronger, safer craft or by providing repairs and provides so the smaller vessel can safely proceed.

Cruise Hive commends the crew of Symphony of the Seas, whose fast actions undoubtedly saved lives on this at-sea rescue.