A 64-year-old British passenger has been medically evacuated from Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas after suffering a serious health emergency while the ship was at sea in the Caribbean.
The incident unfolded on 9th March during a seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing that had departed from Port Canaveral in Florida.
The vessel was approximately 200 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, when the situation was reported to authorities.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that it received notification of the emergency and deployed an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen to assist.
Helicopter Crew Carries Out Complex Rescue
Upon reaching the cruise ship, the Coast Guard aircrew conducted a hoisting operation to lift the passenger safely from the deck.
Such rescues are considered highly technical, particularly when carried out far offshore and in open sea conditions.
Following the successful extraction, the passenger was transported to Centro Médico Hospital in Puerto Rico for further treatment.
Lt. Nicholas Forsythe, co-pilot for the mission, highlighted the teamwork involved in the operation:
“This was a great example of the professionalism of all of the Coast Guard units, medical professionals, and the crew of Star of the Seas. The coordinated efforts ensured the individual was able to safely reach the higher level of care he required.”
Voyage Continues As Scheduled
The medical evacuation took place mid-voyage, with the ship continuing its itinerary after the rescue. The seven-day round-trip cruise returned to Port Canaveral on 15th March 2026.
Medical evacuations by helicopter are not uncommon in the cruise industry, particularly on longer itineraries where ships may be far from the nearest port.
Cruise lines work closely with coast guards and emergency responders to ensure passengers can receive urgent care when needed.
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