| Porthole 23 Aug 12

HOLLAND America Line to the rescue.
Many people think of taking a cruise as a rescue remedy to stress, but few people actually get rescued by a cruise, however 70 hapless day-cruisers can now add this to their resumes of life experience. The group, who was out for a day cruise, got into trouble after their 79-foot sightseeing vessel Baranof Wind struck a rock near Russell Island in Glacier Bay disabling its steering and propulsion and causing the boat to take on water. Volendam responded to their distress call by sending out a tender to pick up the 69 tourists and one Glacier Bay park ranger, and bring them back onboard. Once they had cleared Volendam’s security the group was given a safety briefing and a good meal, whilst the ship sailed onto Margerie Glacier. Volendam rendezvoused with an Allen Marine boat at around 6pm that evening to transfer the rescued passengers back to Bartlett Cove, where their excursion originated. The ship proceeded on to its next port call at Ketchikan. Speaking in the wake of the excitement, Stein Kruse, president of Holland America Line said “We are proud of our officers and crew, and this is a shining example of how our training prepares us to react to any situation.” The rescue tender is pictured right returning from its mission.