A Disney cruise ship rescued four passengers from a disabled catamaran taking on water hundreds of miles off Bermuda.
The incident unfolded on Sunday when the 50-foot Serenity encountered severe trouble, prompting a swift response from the U.S. Coast Guard and Disney Treasure cruise ship, which happened to be in the area.
The Serenity, located approximately 265 miles from Bermuda, suffered a critical malfunction as its escape hatch failed, causing water to flood into the vessel.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christine Bills of the U.S. Coast Guard 5th District explained that the gasket failure was responsible for the emergency, leaving the catamaran stranded far from any nearby port.
With the Serenity in immediate danger, the Coast Guard sent out a distress signal, calling for any nearby vessels to assist.
U.S. Coast Guard/AP Photo
The Disney Treasure, about 80 miles from the Serenity at the time, received the call and initiated a rescue operation, launching a lifeboat to reach the struggling catamaran.
Disney Treasure to the Rescue
The Disney Treasure, en route from Eemshaven, Netherlands, to Port Canaveral, Florida, did not hesitate to help.
After receiving the Coast Guard’s distress signal, the crew quickly deployed a yellow lifeboat to the Serenity to retrieve the four passengers aboard the catamaran. The swift response showcased Disney’s commitment to passenger and maritime safety, an effort noted by Disney Treasure‘s Captain Marco Nogara.
“Our crew members worked together on the rescue, skillfully demonstrating their training and commitment to safety,” Nogara said, expressing gratitude that his team could assist passengers in distress.
Newsweek has reached out to Disney Cruise Line for comment via email.
Coast Guard Provides Aerial Support
Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard provided critical aerial support throughout the rescue. A crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in North Carolina deployed an HC-130 aircraft to the scene, monitoring the situation from above and maintaining communication with the Disney Treasure.
Coast Guard video footage captured the Disney lifeboat approaching the disabled catamaran, highlighting the coordination between air and sea units in the rescue operation.
A Joint Effort in Maritime Safety
The rescue operation, which unfolded miles from shore, underscores the importance of collaboration between private maritime companies and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Disney Cruise Line released a statement confirming its commitment to maritime safety and readiness to assist those in need at sea.
The Disney Treasure‘s successful operation demonstrates the effectiveness of emergency response training for cruise lines.
Thanks to coordinated efforts, all four passengers aboard the Serenity were safely brought on board. As the Disney Treasure continues toward its home port in Port Canaveral, Florida, the incident stands as a testament to the crew’s preparedness and the Coast Guard’s vigilant watch over U.S. waters.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press