Cruise Ship Crew Rescue 24 Refugees
M.S.C Meraviglia vessel rescued a dramatically overloaded boat with 24 refugees.
Photo: Sakaria Faaiuaso
A cruise ship from the Mediterranean Shipping Company (M.S.C) which employs some seamen from Samoa encountered an overcrowded refugee boat in the Straits of Florida on Saturday and managed to successfully rescue all who were aboard.
The M.S.C Meraviglia vessel rescued a dramatically overloaded boat with 24 refugees aboard on Saturday, January 14, 2023, as the cruise ship was returning to Port Canaveral at the end of a 9-night itinerary.
The rescue happened during the ship’s last day at sea, and all refugees were safely brought aboard the larger vessel to be brought to the proper authorities.
Once the small craft was spotted, the 171,598-gross-ton vessel turned around to offer assistance, sending out one of its own lifeboats to make contact with the refugee boat. At the time, the waves were rolling noticeably, but all individuals on the refugee boat were safely transferred to the lifeboat.
The small boat appeared to be covered in a green tarp, and the occupants were waving at the cruise ship and lifeboat to indicate distress.
Overcrowded refugee boat in the Straits of Florida .
Photo: Sakaria Faaiuaso
The rescue took approximately one hour from the time MSC Meraviglia first slowed and turned to when all refugees were safely aboard and the cruise ship resumed course.
One of the Samoan sailors who works onboard the M.S.C Meraviglia, Sakaria Faaiuaso stated in an interview with Eyespy Radio via Facebook Messenger that he is proud to have been part of the team that rescued the 24 refugees.
"The work of a sailor may seem easy but sometimes it can become dangerous with the risk of being lost at sea.
"This is one memory I will never forget, saving another person's life makes you appreciate your own life much more," he said.
Mr. Faaiuaso also shared his experience of the rescue on his Facebook page.