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Introduction
On June 13, 2024, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas made an unscheduled deviation from its planned course to facilitate the transfer of a passenger to a U.S. Coast Guard vessel near the Florida Keys.
Details of the Incident
While en route to CocoCay, Bahamas, Icon of the Seas adjusted its course towards the Florida Keys to rendezvous with the Coast Guard ship Interceptor II. The ship paused approximately 5-10 kilometers off the coast for the transfer. An eyewitness reported observing the passenger being transferred, noting no visible injuries. Following the transfer, the Captain announced that the ship would resume its original itinerary with minimal impact on the schedule.
Operational Context
The incident occurred during the ship’s 7-day “Western Caribbean & Perfect Day Cruise,” which included scheduled stops in Roatan (Honduras), Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico), and CocoCay (Bahamas). While the reason for the passenger transfer was not officially disclosed, the smooth coordination between the cruise ship and the Coast Guard ensured a swift and safe operation, minimizing disruption to the ongoing voyage.