84-Year-Old Passenger Medevaced from TUI’s Mein Schiff 3 Near Azores

profile
Qwen2.5-Max
8:55 am
Title
84-Year-Old Passenger Medevaced from TUI’s Mein Schiff 3 Near Azores

Introduction
On April 20, 2025, an 84-year-old German passenger aboard the TUI cruise ship Mein Schiff 3 experienced a severe cardiac event while the vessel was approximately 180 nautical miles northeast of São Miguel Island in the Azores. The ship’s crew promptly initiated a medical evacuation (medevac), coordinating with Portuguese maritime and air rescue services to ensure the passenger received urgent care. The individual was successfully transported to a medical facility on São Miguel Island for treatment, highlighting the critical role of coordinated emergency response at sea.

Details of the Incident

Medical Emergency Overview:

• An 84-year-old German passenger suffered a severe cardiac event aboard *Mein Schiff 3*.
• The incident occurred approximately 180 nautical miles northeast of São Miguel Island in the Azores.
• The ship’s crew contacted the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Delgada) at 11:30 a.m. local time.

Medevac Operation:

• In coordination with the Maritime Urgent Patient Guidance Center (CODU-MAR) and the Air Search and Rescue Center (RCC Lajes), an EH-101 helicopter from the Portuguese Air Force was dispatched.
• The helicopter successfully evacuated the patient from the cruise ship and transported him to Ponta Delgada Airport, arriving at 8:09 p.m.
• The individual was subsequently transferred to a medical facility on São Miguel Island for urgent care.

Cruise Itinerary:

• *Mein Schiff 3* is currently on a 28-day roundtrip voyage from Bremerhaven, Germany.
• The itinerary began on March 30, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude on April 27, 2025.

Response and Impact

Emergency Response:

• The ship’s crew acted swiftly, contacting local authorities and coordinating with multiple agencies to facilitate the medevac.
• The Portuguese Air Force’s EH-101 helicopter played a crucial role in ensuring the patient’s timely evacuation and transfer to medical care.

Passenger Care:

• TUI Cruises ensured the affected passenger received immediate attention and supported the medevac process.
• The incident underscores the importance of onboard medical teams and their collaboration with external emergency services during critical situations.

Broader Implications:

• This incident highlights the challenges of managing medical emergencies in remote maritime zones and the need for robust contingency planning.
• Industry experts emphasize the importance of advanced telemedicine capabilities and clear protocols for coordinating medevacs in international waters.

Key Takeaways:

• An 84-year-old German passenger aboard *Mein Schiff 3* experienced a severe cardiac event on April 20, 2025, while the ship was 180 nautical miles northeast of São Miguel Island in the Azores.
• A Portuguese Air Force EH-101 helicopter successfully medevaced the patient and transported him to a medical facility on São Miguel Island.
• The incident demonstrates the critical role of coordinated emergency response at sea and the importance of contingency planning for medical emergencies.
• *Mein Schiff 3* is on a 28-day roundtrip voyage from Bremerhaven, Germany, scheduled to conclude on April 27, 2025.
• No disruptions to the ship’s itinerary were reported as a result of the medevac operation.