Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Ship Rescues 77 Migrants From Overloaded Sailboat Off Greece

Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas, a Quantum-Ultra class cruise ship, rescued 77 migrants from an overloaded sailboat in the Ionian Sea on August 5-6, 2024.

The Hellenic Coast Guard diverted the ship en route from Civitavecchia to Santorini after a Maltese-flagged cargo ship reported the distressed vessel approximately 129 miles southwest of Pylos.

The rescue operation commenced early August 06, 2024, morning, when the Odyssey of the Seas, a 167,704-gross-ton vessel, sent out lifeboats and a pilot craft to assist the stranded sailboat.

Despite the overcrowded conditions and initial reports of a fire or capsizing, all passengers were successfully transported onboard. The migrants’ nationalities and particular reasons for their distress have yet to be confirmed.

The rescue necessitated a change in Odyssey of the Seas’ itinerary, resulting in the cancellation of its scheduled port stop in Santorini.

The ship proceeded to Kalamata, where Greek authorities took over the care and processing of the migrants. The cruise ship is expected to adjust its itinerary to compensate for the missed port visit.

The incident highlights the region’s ongoing migrating issues. In 2024, Frontex, the European Union’s border guard, reported 25,000 illegal crossings in the eastern Mediterranean, the majority of which involved migrants from Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria and Turkey.

The Odyssey of the Seas will now travel to Kusadasi, Turkey, and resume its scheduled voyage. Following the Mediterranean season, the ship will reposition to Cape Liberty for Caribbean itineraries in November 2024.

Reference: Cruise Hive, PTI

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Source: Maritime Shipping News