The world’s largest cruise ship rescued a group of 14 Cubans adrift in the sea who were trying to get to the U.S.
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was sailing to Honduras from Miami on Sunday when 14 people were spotted clinging to a much, much smaller vessel that was stranded and in need of help.
“The ship’s crew immediately launched a rescue operation, safely bringing 14 people on board. The crew provided them with medical attention, and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard,” Royal Caribbean told the Associated Press Thursday.
The people rescued were Cuban migrants hoping to reach the United States, according to Spanish international news agency EFE.
Cruise passenger Alessandra Amodio told Fox Weather that crew members on Icon of the Seas took multiple trips out to the smaller vessel to retrieve all 14 aboard, who had been waving a large, white flag.
The captain announced to the ship’s passengers that the group had been adrift for eight days.
“It was crazy to think that these people were stuck at sea for so long, and we were all on board excited and relieved that the ship was able to rescue them,” Ms. Amodio said.
The migrants disembarked in Roatan, Honduras, when Icon of the Seas docked there Monday and were taken into the custody of the Honduran Merchant Navy, according to EFE.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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