Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady has assisted a ship of refugees close to Cuba, the cruise line’s second such encounter in lower than per week. Unlike the primary encounter by Scarlet Lady on New Year’s Eve, nevertheless, the refugees from the most recent incident selected to not board the cruise ship, however accepted provides and continued on their manner.
Valiant Lady Responds to Boat in Distress
Valiant Lady is presently crusing a 4-night roundtrip crusing from Miami, with calls on Key West, Florida and Bimini, The Bahamas. The ship departed from Miami on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, with a day at sea to get pleasure from earlier than the decision on Key West.
It was on the afternoon of that day at sea on Thursday that the ship noticed a small boat within the Straits of Florida between Cuba and the Florida Keys, roughly 75 miles (120 kilometers) southeast of Key West and nearly instantly south of Duck Key.
The small boat or raft, which was low within the water, seemed to be utilizing a white piece of material to sign misery, although the material may even have been supposed as a makeshift sail or shade for the boat’s a number of occupants.
Valiant Lady despatched out a rescue craft to verify on the boat and the refugees selected to not come aboard the cruise ship, although they did settle for meals and water. After a short while, the rescue boat returned to the cruise ship, which then continued on its method to Key West.
The ship’s deliberate arrival to Key West at 8 a.m. on Friday, January 6, has not been impacted, and it’s unlikely that there can be any want for arrival or departure time changes.
This is the second refugee rescue for a Virgin Voyages ship in lower than per week, as Scarlet Lady rescued 18 people from a makeshift boat on December 31, in the identical basic area. In that incident, the small boat was dangerously overcrowded and taking up water, so the refugees had been taken aboard Scarlet Lady till they could possibly be transferred to a United States Coast Guard (USCG) vessel.
Why Not Bring the Refugees Aboard?
Cruise ships are obligated underneath maritime legislation to render help to any boat in misery, however there is no such thing as a requirement that people be introduced aboard the bigger ship in the event that they refuse that help, until their lives are in quick hazard. At no time are any refugees thought of prisoners or fugitives, and they’re all the time accorded respect and humanitarian help as crucial.
In the case of Valiant Lady, it seems that the refugees refused the supply to board the cruise ship, preferring as an alternative to remain aboard their small craft with the hope they may make it safely to Florida.
Valiant Lady, the second “lady ship” of Virgin Voyages’ fleet, would have reported the placement and nature of the encounter to the USCG, and the authorities would have despatched a vessel to research and render further help as wanted, or to take the refugees into custody in the event that they had been formally inside United States waters with out applicable documentation.
In most instances, such refugees are safely repatriated to their house international locations.
Valiant Lady solely debuted with Virgin Voyages in March 2022, however is already honoring maritime traditions together with her swift help to this refugee boat. With growing numbers of refugees being encountered within the Straits of Florida, nevertheless, it’s unlikely to be her final encounter with such a makeshift craft.