The airlift for cruise passengers has traveled hundreds of kilometers from Cairns

Coast Guard cruise ship evacuations can be harrowing operations, requiring close coordination between the aircraft and ship to ensure the safety of not only the guest requiring assistance, but also all personnel involved in the operation.

Fortunately, highly trained and experienced crews are available to assist if guests require emergency medical care that the cruise ship cannot provide. That was the case on board P&O Cruises Australia Pacific encounter on Thursday, October 24, 2024.

The ship, owned by Carnival, was sailing about 460 kilometers (285 miles) east of Cairns, Queensland, when the emergency evacuation was initiated.

The call for help was initially made when the ship, completing a ten-day New Guinea Island Encounter route and heading back to Brisbane, was still at sea in Papua New Guinea waters, 900 kilometers (560 miles) away. from Cairns.

‘A male passenger suffered a heart attack and required urgent medical attention’ the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said.

Due to the distance, the ship was sent closer to Willis Island so that the helicopter involved could refuel after the rescue. Willis Island is located 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Cairns.

The rescue team involved also includes Cairns residents Challenger Bombardier 604 jet rescue plane for overhead support, as well as a Cairns rescue helicopter from Queensland Government Air.

The helicopter successfully and safely winched the guest aboard from Deck 15, port side, just aft of the Sky Bar, at approximately 10:30 am. Following the successful airlift, the guest was transported to Cairns Hospital for treatment.

To protect the privacy of the guest and that of his family, friends and traveling companions, his name has not been released. Likewise, no further details about his condition have been confirmed.

Despite the diversion to move the 109,000 gross ton cruise ship closer to land to facilitate the rescue, there was no significant change in the situation. Pacific encounter‘s itinerary. The ship returned to Brisbane as planned on Saturday 26 October.

The challenges of sea rescue

While weather conditions were safe and comfortable during the airlift from Pacific encountereven a ‘routine’ rescue can cause problems. In this case, the enormous distance from the ship to land made good coordination even more necessary.

Also read: Only crew members know emergency codes on cruise ships!

In addition, the moving ship and moving helicopter must be in sync for the airlift, while sudden waves or gusts of wind can cause unexpected turbulence and abort the rescue attempt.

In some incidents, such as a medical evacuation the next day (October 25) from Royal Caribbean Independence of the seas, extremely high winds can complicate the operationdespite several attempts to complete an airlift.

When cruise ships take longer routes that take them to more distant ports, any medical emergency can become more dangerous.

This happened in May 2024 with a long-distance airlift from Carnival Venice when the ship was about 400 miles off the east coast of the US and returning to New York after a visit to the Bahamas.

Sometimes rescue teams are exceptionally busy back-to-back airliftsas happened from Crown Princess while the ship visited Hawaii in early October 2024.

This can be exhausting for staff as each individual operation requires extreme focus and energy to ensure everyone is safe and all correct procedures are followed.

Pacific encountercurrently from P&O Cruises Australia but will be transferred to Carnival Cruise Line in April 2025is based out of Brisbane all year round. The ship offers a wide range of both short and long routes to the Great Barrier Reef, Australian ports, the South Pacific Islands and other top destinations.

As many as 2,600 passengers can board the Grand Class ship, which will be upgraded and renamed Carnival meeting before joining the Fun Ship fleet after P&O Cruises Australia dissolved.