A pilot fell into the sea while boarding the Emerald Princess in Hawaii but was quickly rescued with no serious injuries reported.
The incident occurred on the Emerald Princess passenger ship, belonging to Princess Cruises, during its voyage to Hawaii. The pilot, who came to meet the ship, fell into the sea while boarding. Following an emergency call, the crew of the pilot boat intervened quickly and rescued the pilot. It was reported that there were no serious injuries in the incident.
Details of the incident were shared on social media by Walter Biscardi Jr., the owner of a travel agency who was on board as a passenger, and he recounted the events to People magazine.
The Bermuda-flagged passenger ship, with a gross tonnage of 113,561, was preparing to call at Kauai Port on February 10 as part of its Hawaii Islands itinerary. Biscardi noted that there were strong winds and choppy sea conditions in the area, and that the captain was maneuvering offshore while waiting for the pilot, expecting suitable approach conditions to develop for approximately 20 minutes.
At around noon, an announcement was made on the 288-meter-long ship, which has a capacity of 3,080 passengers and about 1,200 crew members, stating, 'A man has fallen into the sea.' Biscardi explained that the pilot attempted to hold onto the ladder several times to board the ship but slipped and fell into the choppy waters.
Passengers watched the incident from their cabin balconies and saw that the pilot maintained his composure and directed himself toward the pilot boat, which quickly approached his side. Two crew members on the pilot boat swiftly pulled the pilot onto the deck, ensuring his safe rescue.
Following the incident, the planned port visit was canceled. The Emerald Princess changed its course and continued its voyage towards its next destination, Maui.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
