Watch: Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Rescues 11 Stranded Refugees In Gulf Of America

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Brilliance of the Seas, rescued 11 refugees stranded in the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) on Wednesday. The ship was on a seven-night cruise from New Orleans. It was chartered by VACAYA, an LGBTQ+ vacation company.

The refugees were found adrift between Cuba and Mexico, struggling to stay afloat in a small, overcrowded boat.

The rescue took place while Brilliance of the Seas was sailing between Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico, on February 26. The ship’s bridge crew spotted a small vessel on the horizon that appeared to be in distress.

As they got closer, they noticed that at least 10 people were aboard, bailing water out of the boat. The individuals, who had been stranded for one to two days, waved a white flag to signal distress.

Captain and crew members quickly launched a pilot boat to assess the situation.

VACAYA CEO Randle Roper, who was on board, was immediately informed about the situation. He later shared that the cruise ship’s crew made several trips in a yellow rescue boat, transporting the refugees in small groups.

Those still aboard the sinking vessel were given life jackets while awaiting their turn to be rescued. Once aboard Brilliance of the Seas, the refugees were provided with food, water, and medical assistance.

Passengers described them as exhausted, malnourished, and dehydrated. Julie Brown, a former MTV host who was performing on the ship, witnessed the rescue and shared that the refugees looked relieved and were in good spirits despite their ordeal.

Many of the more than 2,000 passengers on the chartered cruise lined the ship’s rails to watch the operation unfold. VACAYA guests contributed by donating clothes and funds to support the rescued individuals.

After the rescue, the cruise ship contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and Mexican authorities to determine the next steps. It was decided that the refugees would disembark in Mexico on Thursday when the ship reached its scheduled port.

Royal Caribbean has not yet released an official statement, and the U.S. Coast Guard’s response is awaited.

VACAYA, known for its inclusive travel experiences, described the rescue as an important moment in its eight-year history.

References: CNN, gayety

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