Canuck-Ottawa Posted November 22, 2008 #1 Share Posted November 22, 2008 We're on the Coral Princess (Nov.19 voyage from FLL to Acapulco via the Panama Canal). Captain Mancuso announced, at 8:30AM, that we had to adjust course to rescue an injured and unconscious crew member from a 33’ sailing boat! The Columbian Coast Guard radioed us the position, and we were to stop and render medical aid. We are in the very middle of the Caribbean between Jamaica and Panama. You’d never catch me on a 33’ boat out here! It took us over 2 hours to reach the boat and slow down. There were two freighters rushing in as well, with one beside us for over 1 hour. When we arrived the sailboat was floundering in 10’ swells. The rescue tender was launched, and the medical team stood by The poor rescue tender was almost hit by the mast of the sailboat a number of times, but eventually they literally grabbed the unconscious man, and dragged him between the two boats. They brought him back and the Cruise Director (Ron Goodman) just announced that he is now conscious and no longer critical. They even asked for any passengers with O-negative blood to come to the medical centre for blood donations if necessary. The three crewmen on the rescue tender were awesome. The driver was brilliant. He avoided being hit by the sailboat dozens of times while trying to get close enough to pull the man off. By the way, the bridge web cam caught the whole episode! Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Rox Posted November 22, 2008 #2 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Very cool! It's always good to hear a happy ending to tales like that. You have to wonder though about sailors, hikers and the like who go out to sea or the wilderness and are unprepared for weather and such. I'll withold judgement on this particular incident, but I know here in AZ, hikers in the Grand Canyon who ignore basic precautions are held liable for the costs of their rescues or evacuations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassyredhat Posted November 22, 2008 #3 Share Posted November 22, 2008 WOW. I hadn't heard about this one. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted November 22, 2008 #4 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Neat! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revrazorback Posted November 22, 2008 #5 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Wonder if they will post the video or how long it will take to hit youtube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruizBlooz Posted November 22, 2008 #6 Share Posted November 22, 2008 Very honorable I'd have to say so myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted November 23, 2008 #7 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I don't think anyone really appreciates how well crews are trained until something like this happens. Thanks Canuck - Ottawa for sharing this story with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solara Posted November 23, 2008 #8 Share Posted November 23, 2008 We have friends onboard & she emailed me that they were doing a rescue at sea. Glad it was a good outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2travel2beaches Posted November 23, 2008 #9 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Wish I could have been watching that webcam. Thanks for sharing your adventure and I'm glad it was a happy ending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rememberwhen Posted November 23, 2008 #10 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Okay, who now wants to complain about the service they receive on these cruises?, these people are trained well and deserve recognition, (which i feel alot of us dont give) Alot of people only think about how long it took to get their drink or that things were not exactly perfect. This story reminds us that there is alot more to the employees of a cruise ship than waiting on us hand and foot.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck-Ottawa Posted November 23, 2008 Author #11 Share Posted November 23, 2008 As a followup, last night at the Motorcity review in the Princess Theater, Ron Goodman introduced the 3 rescue tender "heros" to the passengers and presented them with flowers on behalf of the pax and crew. Obviously, there was a standing ovation! The driver is a young Italian man, who is just beaming around the ship. The other 2 were a South African and a Philippino. Oh, by the way, we are in the middle of the Panama Canal going through our 4th lock at this moment. I'm sitting in the Churchill Lounge typing this (Yes, I'm one of those bad people!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserbryce Posted November 23, 2008 #12 Share Posted November 23, 2008 wow...thanks for sharing :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz54 Posted November 23, 2008 #13 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Hey Canucks- We are in Ottawa. Its bright but cold....Had to warm up the car this AM. The Panama canal sounds good to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BostonPaul Posted November 23, 2008 #14 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Wow, that is interesting. We were on the cruise just before you, Nov. 5-19. We had three medical emergencies, we had to slow down outside Cabo San Lucas while the ship disembarked two passengers on to a Mexican coast guard ship so they could go home due to medical problems, while we all watched. Then the next night during dinner the Captain announced a "Code Alpha on the Caribe Deck" twice. The rumor was a passenger died, but we never found out what it was. Then two more passengers disembarked at Puerto Amador due to heart attack. Given the fact that the average passenger age was 70, I guess they are well rehearsed in medical procedures! Enjoy the rest of the trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjkTX Posted November 23, 2008 #15 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Wow, that is interesting. We were on the cruise just before you, Nov. 5-19. We had three medical emergencies, we had to slow down outside Cabo San Lucas while the ship disembarked two passengers on to a Mexican coast guard ship so they could go home due to medical problems, while we all watched. Then the next night during dinner the Captain announced a "Code Alpha on the Caribe Deck" twice. The rumor was a passenger died, but we never found out what it was. Then two more passengers disembarked at Puerto Amador due to heart attack. Given the fact that the average passenger age was 70, I guess they are well rehearsed in medical procedures! Enjoy the rest of the trip. Good work on the rescue Coral Princess crew! We had a Code Alpha when we were on the Coral earlier this year - I was in line to get tender tickets - it caught my attention because it was the cabin next to ours! The lady had passed away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWJs Posted November 23, 2008 #16 Share Posted November 23, 2008 What a rescue crew on that tender! I'm so impressed. I'm with Putterdude in that not many are aware of how well the crew is trained until something like this happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruizBlooz Posted November 23, 2008 #17 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Simply awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowman Posted November 23, 2008 #18 Share Posted November 23, 2008 okay, who now wants to complain about the service they receive on these cruises?, these people are trained well and deserve recognition, (which i feel alot of us dont give) alot of people only think about how long it took to get their drink or that things were not exactly perfect. This story reminds us that there is alot more to the employees of a cruise ship than waiting on us hand and foot..How right you are!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Go-Bucks! Posted November 24, 2008 #19 Share Posted November 24, 2008 I'll be on the Coral in just a couple weeks - makes me feel good to know that they're well trained and ready for any emergency. Bravo to the crew!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2travel2beaches Posted November 24, 2008 #20 Share Posted November 24, 2008 So does Code Alpha mean there has been a death? Just clarifing. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjkTX Posted November 24, 2008 #21 Share Posted November 24, 2008 So does Code Alpha mean there has been a death? Just clarifing. Thanks! That seems to be the meaning - that's what the staff folks told us later in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putterdude Posted November 24, 2008 #22 Share Posted November 24, 2008 What a rescue crew on that tender! I'm so impressed. I'm with Putterdude in that not many are aware of how well the crew is trained until something like this happens. Hi folks; one of the reasons I am acutely aware of this is because our youngest son is a cox'n or if you wish, a quartermaster (working on his mates ticket) on the deep sea ferry that runs between northern Vancouver Is. and Prince Rupert. They are continually drilled in firefighting and lifesaving to the point he was injured in such a drilll and has been on the beach since mid January. Rescue at sea is not simple matter, people but life and limb at risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of Cool Posted November 24, 2008 #23 Share Posted November 24, 2008 This Rescue happened the other day in the SH More on Story Saw the rescued interviewed on TV. They were very thankful. Good PR for P and O. Hip Hip for cruise ships! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B40 Tha Cruisa Posted November 24, 2008 #24 Share Posted November 24, 2008 Great story, thanks for sharing. Obviously they are well trained and deserve recognition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickEk Posted November 24, 2008 #25 Share Posted November 24, 2008 So does Code Alpha mean there has been a death? Just clarifing. Thanks! I do believe that Code Alpha means a medical emergency. We had two on our New Year's voyage on the Dawn Princess. They were both in a dining room during dinner on different days. :( From what I understand, the two people passed away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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