Five people including family members of a senior Vanuatu Government minister have been rescued after Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess was asked to aid a stricken vessel adrift at sea for 48 hours.
Sun Princess successfully completed the search and rescue operation to the west of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu waters after midnight yesterday.
The rescue mission was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Noumea.
Sun Princess was approximately 115 Nautical Miles from the stranded vessel’s estimated position. The cruise ship diverted from its course to Champagne Bay and during the night located the boat with the five onboard. All five were taken onboard Sun Princess at about 1am.
All were examined by the ship’s medical staff following their 48-hour ordeal stranded at sea.
Following the rescue operation, Sun Princess resumed its scheduled passage to Champagne Bay.
The ship hosted Vanuatu government officials in Vila today, with the Government officially thanking the Captain and crew for their role in the rescue.
Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said of the rescue, ‘We’re pleased that we were able to assist in this successful search and rescue operation and we’re relieved that all five passengers are recovering from their experience.
“It must have been a huge relief for the five people onboard the stranded boat to see a big white cruise ship appear on the scene when they were in such need.
“The successful rescue operation demonstrates the strong bond we have with island communities in the South Pacific. We were very pleased that we could play a role in achieving such a positive outcome.”
SOURCE: Princess Cruises