Voyager of the Seas simply kicked off the weekend with an emergency rescue.
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship, which is at present in the midst of a Transatlantic voyage, rescued a stranded household and their canine whereas crusing in West Africa.
On Friday, November 15, 2024, the Voyager-class vessel occurred upon the household whereas crusing off the coast of Marrakesh, Morocco.
In response to witnesses, the stalled sailboat had engine issues that resulted in a lack of energy. Making issues worse, the smaller vessel had additionally misplaced its masts – successfully stranding these onboard.
It’s at present unclear what number of passengers have been caught on the personal vessel – with some witnesses saying it was a household of 4 (two children and two adults) or a household of six (4 adults and two children), in addition to their black labrador retriever.
“We diverted to rescue a household of two adults, 2 minors, and a canine who have been stranded with a damaged sail [mast] and a stalled engine. Everyone seems to be on board and protected, however they needed to go away the boat behind,” a present passenger, named Roberto Mezquia Jr, posted on X.
Earlier than bringing the refugees onboard, engineers from among the many roughly 1,200 crew members employed by Voyager of the Seas initially tried to repair the boat in order that the household might merely sail residence.
When it grew to become clear a restore wouldn’t achieve success, the crew transferred the household to a Royal Caribbean lifeboat and introduced them onboard the 138,194-gross ton vessel, the place they have been welcomed by cheers and applause from onlookers.
Footage and movies present the rescued household huddling within the lifeboat on their technique to the cruise ship – with even the canine carrying its personal pink lifejacket.
“The rescue crew confirmed nice ability (and bravado) in uneven seas to carry everybody safely aboard. There was a well-deserved large spherical of cheers and applause from all the spectators on their balconies,” shared one other present passenger.
There was some dialogue of additionally towing the sailboat – if solely so it may very well be repaired later – however this can be a large enterprise and the powers that be finally determined in opposition to it.
However what actually issues most is that the stranded individuals – and their furry companion – at the moment are protected and sound.
What Will Occur to the Household?
The very first thing a cruise ship does once they rescue stranded refugees is present them with any mandatory medical care and supply them meals and water.
Then comes the duty of determining what to do with the sudden passengers. As cool as it will be, the newly rescued company sometimes don’t simply get to remain onboard for the rest of the cruise – if solely as a result of it wouldn’t be truthful to paying passengers.
The opposite subject is, that relying on the itinerary, each the cruise line and the refugees might run into points relating to correct documentation and citizenship.
With this in thoughts, cruise ships normally both flip over the rescued individuals to the right native authorities or safely ship them to the following port of name on the itinerary.
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On this case, the household will stay onboard till Voyager of the Seas’ subsequent port of name – which will likely be on Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, on November 17, 2024.
From there, the household will be capable to disembark and determine their subsequent steps. Nonetheless, for his or her 24 hours at sea, they are going to be supplied with meals, lodging, and any extra medical remedy they require after their ordeal.
The remaining passengers on the three,602-guest vessel will sail on to their ultimate port name, which is on Tenerife, Canary Islands, on November 18. The remainder of the 16-night voyage will solely include sea days till the ship reaches Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, on November 26.
The crusing initially embarked from Barcelona, Spain, on November 10.
