Mayday Mayday!!!

[Mynki]

Sea day as we sail towards Curacao today. About two hours ago Captain Kate advised that we were diverting course to rescue a vessel in distress with a medical emergency.

 

Just spent two hours watching the ship idle towards a stricken yacht and one of our lifeboats launch and rescue six people. I'll try and post pictures and video later if the internet speed is quick enough.

 

Everyone was rescued and all appear ok. The Celebrity staff were not too impressed when one of them tried to bring their suitcase along and basically told them to get onboard and leave everything! All credit to the staff in an emergency, they acted like true professionals.

 

Their yacht has been abandoned and is currently bobbing about next to us!

[davekathy]

Thanks for posting.

[OCruisers]

Glad to hear everyone basically seems to be all right!

[Mynki]

Apparently the yacht had been adrift for two weeks and had been out of water for six days. The pics will show a still they were using.

[Mynki]

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Pretty small for a yacht, looks more like a sail boat.

[Mynki]

 

[Mynki]

[Mynki]

 

 

[Mynki]

 

 

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Thanks for the pictures & KUDOS to Captain Kate.

[Mynki]

Thanks for the pictures & KUDOS to Captain Kate.

 

She and her crew did a great job.

 

I can't imagine what it must be like to be drifting around the seas with no supplies wondering what will happen.

 

Can you imagine their delight when they realised they were being rescued by a cruise ship full of bars and restaurants! :)

[Viktoria]

What is the brown stuff floating on the water near the boat. We have seen it on several ocean cruises and wonder what it is. It is often seen when we are way out in the ocean. We suspect it is some kind of plankton. Any marine biologists able to answer?

[Mynki]

Seaweed. :)

[cb at sea]

Sargasso grass...very common seaweed!

[broberts]

First time I've seen a cat schooner rig.

 

What is the brown stuff floating on the water near the boat. We have seen it on several ocean cruises and wonder what it is. It is often seen when we are way out in the ocean. We suspect it is some kind of plankton. Any marine biologists able to answer?

 

Not a biologist. I believe it is a species of Sargassum.

[A Sixth?]

Very odd boat. As a life-long sailor and as one who sailed the Caribbean for years on his own "yacht" (plastic pail is really closer to the truth ;p ) I have to say that there's a lot to this story that I'd love to hear....

[jagoffee]

Mynki,

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

 

Enjoy the back of your B2B.

[hmorrow]

I wonder.....

 

Do they complete the cruise, or get off at the next port?

Do they have to pay?

Inquiring minds want to know..........

 

Helaine

[davekathy]

I wonder.....

 

Do they complete the cruise, or get off at the next port?

Do they have to pay?

Inquiring minds want to know..........

 

Helaine

I would think that they would be escorted off of the ship at the next port of call. I wouldn't think they would have to pay for anything. Like food and a place to sleep. I would also think they would be very limited as to where they could be or go on the ship. Just a WAG.

[upwarduk]

I would hope they would get medical attention before being put off at the next port if they had been adrift for so long.

[davekathy]

I would hope they would get medical attention before being put off at the next port if they had been adrift for so long.

 

If I was a betting man, I would wager they will be well taken care of.

[Mynki]

Just been chatting to our sommelier. She has seen them in medical by all accounts.

 

I would imagine they'd receive appropriate medical treatment first. Be very well taken care of, fed and watered, processed by security and then dropped off at the next port (Curacao). The medical facilities if required would be better there than on the ship I imagine. I'm sure RCL group have procedures for this very rare scenario which are being followed.

 

All six did manage to walk off the lifeboat onto Summit ok so that was a good sign.

 

I hope they eventually manage to recover their boat though. That was left with their belongings floating at sea.

[DirtyDawg]

I hope they eventually manage to recover their boat though. That was left with their belongings floating at sea.

 

Can you post your GPS location. I'm in the market for a slightly used 'yacht'. :D:D

[gerelmx]

I would think that they would be escorted off of the ship at the next port of call. I wouldn't think they would have to pay for anything. Like food and a place to sleep. I would also think they would be very limited as to where they could be or go on the ship. Just a WAG.

 

Celebrity can not deny you the basics, like food and a place to sleep. My question is if they would be confined in a cabin? Of course they do not go to the show at night or to the casino.