Key Aspects:
- A group of Samoan crew members working onboard MSC Splendida saved 19 migrants from drowning.
- The heroic rescue occurred on October 26, 2025, off the coast of Mallorca, Spain.
- The crew members were praised for their life-saving actions.
In addition to offering epic Mediterranean sailings, MSC Cruises can add saving lives to its repertoire.
On October 26, 2025, a group of Samoan crew members working onboard MSC Splendida came to the rescue of 19 migrants in distress while sailing off the coast of Mallorca, Spain.
Specifically, cruise tracking data shows that the rescue took place approximately 20 nautical miles off Cabrera in the Balearic Islands, which is not far off Mallorca’s southern coast.
The 3,900-passenger ship responded to a distress call, and upon arrival, found several of the refugees in an overcrowded boat in choppy seas. Some had already fallen into the open ocean and were struggling to stay afloat.
Once the cruise ship arrived, a ladder was lowered into the water for the distressed refugees to climb aboard.
Thankfully, all 19 of the refugees, who hailed from the Maghreb region of North Africa, were saved and tended to by the MSC crew members.
While the group primarily consisted of men, one refugee was a woman and two were small children (a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy).
The dramatic rescue only took 31 minutes to complete, which is particularly impressive considering the rough ocean conditions.
The rescue unfolded on the final day of a 4-night Mediterranean sailing to Marseille, France, and Genoa, Italy, and the Fantasia-class ship was on its way back to Barcelona, Spain, for disembarkation on October 27, 2025.
All port calls had been completed at this point, and there was no negative impact to disembarkation the following morning.
A Happy Ending & Well Deserved Praise
While crew members train for at sea rescues, the ability to stay calm, take decisive action, and move efficiently during an emergency is something to be commended.
Samoa Shipping Services (SSS), which is the crew members’ recruitment agency, publicly honored the Samoan employees who led the rescue efforts.
Willie Roy, Sanele Tuilagi, Apineru Urima, Eikomene Tagaloa, Eferona Matafeo, John Mark Tauiliili, Pale Tafaeono, Toe Junior Togatuki, Faamotu Puleitu, Faafili Tauailoto, Patelesio Ioane Tafunai, Avau Pulepule, Sosiua Junior Folasa, and Matureo Lualua Tautu were acknowledged by name for their life-saving efforts.
“Samoa Shipping Services (SSS), acting as the crew agent for MSC, extends its formal recognition to the commendable efforts of these individuals,” SSS shared on social media.
“SSS is immensely proud to support and recognize our Samoan seafarers recruited for MSC, who consistently demonstrate exceptional skill and dedication at sea,” the agency added.
The crew members were also invited to a special dinner in the Captain’s Lounge, which was hosted by MSC Captain Giuseppe Maresca and Safety Officer Antonio Bovento, to personally thank them for their heroic response.
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The refugees, who thankfully did not drown, were handed over to the appropriate authorities in Barcelona when MSC Splendida returned to its homeport on October 27, 2025.
This is standard practice for cruise ship rescues. Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requires vessels to help other sailors in distress and provide any food, water, or medical care they may need.
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Once they are no longer in immediate danger, the cruise lines make every effort to disembark their unexpected passengers and turn them over to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
The migrants were put in the care of social services, which will help the migrants pursue appropriate next steps – whether that is seeking asylum or making their way to their next destination.
