Passengers aboard a cruise ship traveling from Texas to Mexico erupted in cheers as crew members rescued four individuals from a makeshift boat in the Gulf. This incident marks the second recent rescue by a cruise ship in the Caribbean.
The Regal Princess was making its way from Galveston to Cozumel on February 23 when the crew responded to a distress call from a small vessel carrying four people.
“The Regal Princess answered a call for help and safely brought four individuals on board,” the cruise line noted in a statement circulated to various media outlets.
“All four were examined by the onboard medical team, as their health and safety is our top concern.”
According to reports from People magazine, a photograph shared on social media showed what appeared to be four men in a worn-out boat made of metal and wood.
Online posts captured the scene, revealing passengers waving white sheets and tarpaulins as they poured water from the ship into the sea.
Efforts to get additional comments from passengers and Princess Cruises are underway.
Some travelers noted they sensed something was off when the ship began changing direction.
“I recognized something was happening as the ship started circling,” said passenger Melody Almogavar Barr in an interview with a news outlet.
As the captain announced the successful rescue, excitement filled the packed theater, with guests cheering. “It’s evident that many passengers care about others’ well-being, and it’s truly heartwarming,” she remarked.
Princess Cruises indicated that the rescued individuals would be taken to the ship’s next scheduled port, where local authorities and support services would assist them.
“Per international maritime guidelines, those rescued will receive care on board before being transported to the next port of call,” the cruise line stated.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, vessels must respond to anyone they see in danger unless it would put their own safety at risk.
This obligation applies regardless of the individuals’ nationality or circumstances.
The cruise line expressed gratitude toward the Regal Princess’s captain and crew for their swift and professional response. “Their actions reflect a long-standing seafaring tradition of helping those lost at sea,” they added.
The ship set sail from Galveston on February 22 for a seven-day cruise through the Western Caribbean, stopping in Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan, Honduras, before returning to Texas on March 1.
This rescue comes on the heels of another incident. On the evening of February 16, a Carnival Cruise Lines ship, also heading to Cozumel, rescued five people from a similar situation as their boat began sinking. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and assisted during the event, allowing the Carnival Celebration to continue its journey without delay.
