There seems to be no end to the number of rescues that cruise ships have to undertake this year. Once again, a Carnival Cruise Line ship made a U-turn after a small boat was seen at sea, with about eight to ten people on board.
While a cruise ship is bound by maritime law to render aid and assistance to any vessel in distress, the refugees refused assistance in this case. The incident is one of a series of rescue and rescue efforts this year, many involving Carnival ships.
Carnival horizon Turn around to help Refugees
While making his way from Cozumel, Mexicoreturns to her home port of Miami, guests on board Carnival horizon The cruise ship was surprised to find that the ship was making a turn at sea. The reason was because of a small ship carrying some refugees in the Florida Straits.
Carnival horizon was sailing northwest of Havana, Cuba, when the small vessel was spotted by those on board, prompting the captain to maneuver to approach the vessel.
As the ship approached, the ship’s crew managed to contact the boat, which denied any assistance from the cruise ship.
Those on board, apparently refugees trying to make their way from Cuba to the US mainland, appeared to be in good health, according to reports from the ship. Their boat was also still running under its own power and there would have been no reason or need Carnival horizon to offer help he didn’t want.
Under maritime law, every vessel at sea is bound by law to aid and assist any vessel in distress. However, this does not mean that those who appear distressed or in a precarious situation will have to accept that help.
In many cases, the refugee boats will want to reach the mainland on their own to avoid the US Coast Guard, which is likely to turn them back to their countries if possible.
after Carnival horizon made a 180-degree portside maneuver and docked, the 133,596 gross ton Vista-class ship resumed course for Miami, where guests will disembark on October 15.
The ship just completed a cruise that sailed from PortMiami on October 9, during which she visited Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.
Carnival to the rescue
The Straits of Florida are one of the world’s busiest waterways, providing access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Caribbean. It also acts as one of the most active and dangerous waterways in the world for refugees trying to reach the United States from countries such as Cuba, South and Central America.
With hundreds of cruise ships operating in the area, it’s no wonder we’ve seen a significant number of these types of incidents, such as the one involving Carnival horizon today.
Just over a month ago, Carnival Paradise The cruise ship rescued six migrants from a makeshift raft in the Gulf of Mexico. This was already the second rescue for that cruise ship in just a few weeks.
Other incidents include Dawn of the Carnival, which saved 12 Cuban refugees that had left south of Key West on July 29. Mardi Gras has encountered refugee boats three times already this year, rescuing twenty people on two separate occasions and supplying food, fuel and water to another.
Mardi GrasCarnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship has also carried out several rescues this year, including rescuing twenty Cubans during two separate incidents and providing fuel, food and water to another boat in January of this year.
Recently, it was Carnival horizon that came in handy of the seven refugees in the Florida Straits. This meeting took place on September 12 while the guests were on board Carnival horizon were enjoying a day at sea on her six-night Western Caribbean itinerary. After a short delay to render aid, the cruise ship continued on its way.
Carnival cruise line ships have been involved in at least eight rescues at sea this year alone. Several other cruise ships have also encountered the same thing. Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady performed a rescue operation two days ago, on October 13.
