A Disney cruise ship recently came to the rescue of four people stranded on a sinking catamaran more than 200 miles off the coast of Bermuda.
The incident occurred on November 10, when the catamaran began taking on water, prompting the passengers to send out a distress signal to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Coast Guard then issued an emergency alert.
The nearest vessel able to respond was the Disney Treasure, which was en route from Europe to the U.S. ahead of its upcoming maiden voyage. At the time, the ship was about 80 miles away. It quickly deployed a small boat and successfully rescued all four individuals aboard the sinking vessel.
The small catamaran, named Serenity, began sinking after a failure in the seal around its escape hatch, causing it to take on water, according to ABC News.
Catamarans, which feature two parallel hulls connected by a single deck, vary greatly in size, from lightweight boats used in Olympic sailing to large passenger ferries. The Serenity, however, was a much smaller vessel, measuring just 15 meters long.
Meanwhile, the Disney Treasure, a 340-meter cruise ship, was crossing the Atlantic from Europe to Florida. The ship was on its way to prepare for its maiden voyage in December and will become the sixth vessel in Disney’s cruise fleet.
Captain Marco Nogara of the Disney Treasure expressed relief that the ship was able to assist the stranded passengers, stating, “We are pleased that the Disney Treasure was able to provide aid to the boat passengers in peril.” He also praised the crew’s response, noting that they worked together seamlessly to carry out the rescue, showcasing their training and dedication to safety.