Earlier this year Cruise Hive reported on a very unique incident at sea, The ms Veendam rescued a pilot from the Pacific Ocean after his small aircraft got into trouble and ran out of fuel. The aircraft went into the ocean and thankfully the Holland America ship was in the area. You can read our post right here from January.
Due to the great rescue which took place around 225 miles off the coast of Maui, Hawaii, the captain and crew of the ship have been named “Seafarer of the Year”. The cruise line received the award at ceremony held in New York in May.
You can view photos from Holland America Line of the dramatic rescue below:
Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president said:
“Holland America Line employees consistently strive for professional and personal excellence, and to be honored for saving a life is both humbling and rewarding. On behalf of Veendam’s captain and crew, thank you to Lloyd’s List for bestowing the honor of ‘Seafarer of the Year,’ a recognition we greatly appreciate.”
Keith Taylor, executive vice president, fleet operations, Holland America Group, and retired Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard said:
“The officers and crew performed exceptionally well and made a dramatic rescue – I am very proud of the Veendam team. This rescue is a great reminder of the commitment all of us at Holland America Line, our sister brands and the cruise industry have in supporting rescue efforts at sea when we are near.”
Holland America Line participates in rescues at sea whenever called upon. Also in 2015, ms Zuiderdam rescued eight crewmembers from a sinking vessel in the Caribbean, while ms Zaandam came to the aid of seven stranded crewmembers at the Arctowski Polish research station at King George Island in Antarctica.
