The Carnival Ecstasy responded to a mayday call in the Bahamas on Tuesday and came to the rescue of an injured crew member from a yacht. Even if the cruise line has suspended operations into 2021, it doesn’t mean cruise ships can’t be involved in important rescue situations, and that was the case for the Carnival Ecstasy.
The Fantasy-class cruise ship responded to a mayday call from a private yacht named “Balista” with a crew member suffering from severe injuries. At the time the mayday was picked up, the Carnival Ecstasy was anchored in the Bahamas and just four nautical miles away from the yacht.
Captain Domenico Calise immediately responded even though there was a vessel that was closer which did not seem to be responding to the mayday. Carnival Ecstasy notified all the relevant authorities including the U.S. Coast Guard, a normal procedure for these situations.
Also Read: Carnival Cruise Line Cancels All U.S. Departures Until February 2021
It was not a straight forward rescue operation due to 30-knot winds at the time. The 29-year-old injured male crew member on the yacht could not be transferred to Carnival Ecstasy immediately as it was a complex operation. The initial transfer needed to be aborted but he was eventually brought aboard the Carnival cruise ship via its rescue boat.
Carnival provided Cruise Hive with video footage when the USCG met with the ship to take the crewman for further medical care on land:
The injured crew member was evaluated and treated by the Carnival Ecstasy medical team. He did need further treatment on land so as a result, the cruise ship headed north to meet a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter for urgent medical evacuation. He is now receiving the much-needed care at a medical facility on land.
These kinds of rescue operations are not uncommon and often cruise ships will need to respond to small boats in distress. It often comes to bringing people aboard for further treatment or a checkup.
Just last month Cruise Hive reported on sister ship Carnival Sensation coming to the rescue of a small boat with 24 people on board. That boat started taking on water and thankfully the Carnival vessel was there to bring everyone on board.
Even when cruises resume, cruise ships will respond to any mayday call if possible and are well trained to do so. Well done to the crew of Carnival Ecstasy during these difficult times.
All Photos and Video Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
