On an 8-day voyage from Miami Florida USA to Honduras, Mexico, and the Bahamas, a group of 14 Cuban migrants found themselves amid a dramatic 2-hour rescue operation, thanks to the swift response of the crew aboard Royal Caribbean's liner Icon of the Seas.
As Icon OTS traversed waters near Cozumel and western Cuba en route to Honduras on Monday, March 3rd, passengers onboard witnessed a distressing scene unfold. A small boat, adrift and signaling for help with a white flag, was spotted by the crew.
The world's largest cruise vessel immediately activated its emergency procedures, with a coded alert sounding throughout the ship and the Master (Captain Henrik Loy) informed passengers of the situation.
A rescue boat was swiftly dispatched to bring the stranded migrants safely aboard.
The crew's efficient response ensured the successful rescue of all 14 people, who received immediate medical attention upon boarding the ship. Royal Caribbean, in collaboration with the US Coast Guard, took charge of the situation, prioritizing the well-being of the rescued individuals.
For more Icon of the Seas incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.