Jump to content

Freedom of the seas dramatic rescue


gr8.guy

Recommended Posts

Onboard the last day of our western Caribbean cruise on Freedom of the Seas, we stopped to rescue a small craft holding 8 passengers. The craft was homemade and appeared to be taking on water. I could hear them calling out from deck 12, and with a storm approaching were quickly rescued. We are currently circling their position awaiting a coast guard cutter to rendezvous with. Captain Tor Olsen is stating that the rescued sailors will be transferred to the cutter if the weather remains good. From the back of the windjammer, there is a nasty looking storm behind us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They were probably trying to catch up to the ship after being left in port.

 

:D:D:D

 

LOL....you know I could see people trying that....

 

But honestly, they referred to them as "sailors" ... is that just being polite??? Or were they really sailing something and got into trouble?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cubans or Haitians would be the most likely scenario.

 

They were Cubans, and were picked up by the ship's smaller rescue life boat. The Coast Guard showed up a couple of hours later and brought them aboard their cutter after they were given medical check ups, food, and clothing aboard the Freedom.

 

The storm was indeed wild looking. My very first close look at a water spout. All going on at the same time.

Quite the excitement! :eek:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So what happens in this case? Are they automatically returned to Cuba? Does it depend?

 

In accordance with Wet Foot/Dry Foot, yes they will be returned to Cuba since they were intercepted at sea. They would only be brought to U.S. shore if there is a serious medical issue or legitimate asylym request.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In accordance with Wet Foot/Dry Foot, yes they will be returned to Cuba since they were intercepted at sea. They would only be brought to U.S. shore if there is a serious medical issue or legitimate asylym request.

I always thought that once they were on a Coast Guard ship they would be brought to the U.S. since the Coast Guard ship is owned by the U.S.

 

Thanks Aquahound. We can also count on you for the correct answer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought that once they were on a Coast Guard ship they would be brought to the U.S. since the Coast Guard ship is owned by the U.S.

 

Thanks Aquahound. We can also count on you for the correct answer.

 

Thank you. :) Your assumption is understandable but no, for the purposes of this law, our military vessels do not count as "dry foot." In fact, it's our USCG cutters that repatriot the migrants to Cuba.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Dramatic"... humm, maybe a stretch using that term. It was a good example of the well trained crew acting the way they have been instructed to respond.

 

I was please to hear the captain make timely announcements as we watched the rescue: why we were slowing down and going into a turn followed by what was happening as the 8 men were brought aboard. He referred to them as "8 gentlemen from the island south of us".

 

Fortunately for those on the small craft, we had relatively calms seas rather than those we had encountered earlier in the week.

 

As an aside: the Freedom continues to be an awesome ship with an equally fantastic crew. The entertainment on board was excellent. We enjoyed every minute of our B2B on her. She is clean, attractive, and welcoming. Kudos to the Freedom of the Seas

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Dramatic"... humm, maybe a stretch using that term. It was a good example of the well trained crew acting the way they have been instructed to respond.

 

I was please to hear the captain make timely announcements as we watched the rescue: why we were slowing down and going into a turn followed by what was happening as the 8 men were brought aboard. He referred to them as "8 gentlemen from the island south of us".

 

Fortunately for those on the small craft, we had relatively calms seas rather than those we had encountered earlier in the week.

 

As an aside: the Freedom continues to be an awesome ship with an equally fantastic crew. The entertainment on board was excellent. We enjoyed every minute of our B2B on her. She is clean, attractive, and welcoming. Kudos to the Freedom of the Seas

 

Very well put Gail!! :)

Sooo nice meeting you and spending time with you this last week. You two made terrific

chefs also!! ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They were Cubans, and were picked up by the ship's smaller rescue life boat. The Coast Guard showed up a couple of hours later and brought them aboard their cutter after they were given medical check ups, food, and clothing aboard the Freedom.

 

The storm was indeed wild looking. My very first close look at a water spout. All going on at the same time.

Quite the excitement! :eek:

 

It was quite the excitement and I missed most of it as I was in the casino then in my cabin filling out my gratuity envelopes and other "end of cruise" stuff. My DH and our friends said that the water spout was really something to see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you. :) Your assumption is understandable but no, for the purposes of this law, our military vessels do not count as "dry foot." In fact, it's our USCG cutters that repatriot the migrants to Cuba.

 

Yes, thanks so much for the clarification! It's so helpful having you around to explain all this stuff! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was quite the excitement and I missed most of it as I was in the casino then in my cabin filling out my gratuity envelopes and other "end of cruise" stuff. My DH and our friends said that the water spout was really something to see.

 

Yes, we were up on outside deck 12 with the DH's high powered (and pain in the butt heavy to carry on :eek: ) binoculars. Were able to check out the whole goings on.

The staff from the spa came out to marvel at the

water spout. They had never seen a tornado or water spout and were really in awe.

They did not know what it was, and were asking me about it.

Was actually more interesting than "the rescue".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...