The Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship measuring almost 1,200 feet in length, typically operates by transporting travelers between ports and tropical locales. However, on March 3, the crew of this recently established maritime behemoth shifted their focus from their regular duties to a significantly different task: aiding in the rescue of 14 individuals who were stranded at sea.
According to reports, while sailing between Cozumel, Mexico, and western Cuba, the Icon came across a drifting vessel. Shortly after, the ship’s loudspeakers began broadcasting a repetitive automated message of “Code Oscar,” Royal Caribbean’s standard protocol for indicating a person overboard.
World’s largest cruise ship rescues 14 people stranded at sea for over a week https://t.co/zjFChHHGA2 pic.twitter.com/ZBkAzmVMIi
— New York Post (@nypost) March 7, 2024
As per the company’s announcement, its crew promptly sprang into action, initiating plans for a rescue mission. Video footage recorded from a passenger’s balcony, Alessandra Asmodio, depicts cruise line staff shuttling between the two ships aboard a blue and yellow zodiac. They are seen making several trips, safely transporting a handful of individuals each time, skillfully navigating through the perilous waves trailing behind them.
Royal Caribbean reported that upon boarding the Icon, medical personnel promptly commenced evaluating and providing care for the 14 rescued individuals. Subsequently, a message from the captain echoed through the loudspeaker, reassuring everyone that all individuals had been safely rescued.
Amodio, who shared her experience with the media, mentioned being informed that the rescued individuals had been lost at sea for a minimum of eight days. Details regarding their origin, the circumstances leading to their drifting, or the vessel they were on when they encountered trouble remain unclear at present. All 14 individuals disembarked upon the boat’s arrival at the port in Roatan, Honduras, the following day.
The fact that the crew of the Icon spotted a small vessel amidst the vastness of the open ocean from the ship’s viewport and windows is nearly as impressive as the rescue itself. A drifting small boat can be easily overlooked amidst the expanse of the open sea. Glare and the swell of the ocean greatly hinder visibility, sometimes reducing it to 100 meters or less.
This is among the reasons why the US Coast Guard and many other maritime rescue agencies commonly utilize helicopters and airplanes during sea searches. Observing the open ocean from an aerial perspective minimizes glare effects and mitigates line-of-sight challenges.
