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Introduction
A medical evacuation was carried out from Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas on March 9, 2026, after a passenger experienced a serious health emergency while the vessel was sailing in the Caribbean. The operation was coordinated with the United States Coast Guard.
Details of the Medical Emergency
Location and Alert:
- The incident involved a 64-year-old British passenger.
- At the time, the vessel was approximately 200 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
- The ship was operating a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary departing from Port Canaveral.
Rescue Operation:
- The U.S. Coast Guard dispatched an MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Borinquen.
- Upon arrival, the aircrew conducted a hoist operation to transfer the passenger from the ship.
- The evacuation was completed without reported complication.
Transfer Ashore:
- The passenger was transported to Centro Médico Hospital in Puerto Rico.
- The evacuation enabled access to advanced medical care not available onboard.
Operational Outcome:
- Star of the Seas continued its itinerary following the evacuation.
- The ship completed the voyage and returned to Port Canaveral on March 15, 2026.
Context:
- Medical evacuations are a standard maritime procedure when serious health conditions arise far from port.
- Helicopter hoist operations are commonly used for urgent cases requiring rapid transfer to shore-based hospitals.