Diamond Princess Crew Medevac Off New Zealand Coast: February 2025 Incident

On 30 January 2025, a crew member aboard Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess sustained a severe eye injury and required emergency medical evacuation off the coast of New Zealand during a 14-day roundtrip voyage from Brisbane to Auckland. The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand coordinated a successful offshore winch rescue operation, with the injured crew member airlifted to a New Zealand hospital for specialized treatment.

The Diamond Princess continued its voyage without disruption and remained on schedule to return to Brisbane on 10 February 2025. Princess Cruises deferred further details to the RCCNZ, and the crew member's nationality, position, and current medical status have not been disclosed.

At approximately 8:00 AM local time on 30 January, the ship's medical team identified the crew member's severe eye injury and requested urgent aerial evacuation. The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) coordinated the response and dispatched the Northland Rescue Helicopter to the vessel's location. The offshore winch rescue operation was conducted successfully in the waters between Brisbane and Auckland, with the injured crew member safely airlifted to a hospital in New Zealand.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• 1 crew member sustained a severe eye injury requiring emergency medical evacuation.

Rescued

• The injured crew member was successfully airlifted by the Northland Rescue Helicopter and transported to a New Zealand hospital for specialized treatment.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) coordinated the emergency response upon notification from the Diamond Princess medical team. The Northland Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to the vessel's location off the New Zealand coast and executed a successful offshore winch rescue operation.

The Diamond Princess continued its voyage without disruption following the evacuation. The vessel remained on schedule and completed its 14-day roundtrip itinerary, returning to Brisbane on 10 February 2025. Princess Cruises has not released further details regarding the crew member's condition or identity.