Elderly Passenger Medevac’d from Sky Princess Off Algeria – October 8, 2025

Introduction
On October 8, 2025, Algerian naval forces conducted an emergency medical evacuation of a 77-year-old British passenger from the Sky Princess while the ship was sailing in international waters off Algeria’s northeastern coast. The passenger had suffered a serious medical episode that required urgent hospital treatment ashore.

Details of the Incident

Distress Call and Location:

• At 10:40 a.m. local time, the National Maritime Surveillance and Rescue Operations Center received a distress alert from the Sky Princess.
• The ship was positioned approximately 35 nautical miles (65 km / 40 mi) north of Cap de Fer, within the maritime jurisdiction of Skikda Province.
• The incident occurred as the vessel was navigating between Italy and Spain during a Mediterranean itinerary.

Rescue Operation:

• The Algerian Naval Forces immediately launched an AS-14 rescue helicopter from the 560th Search and Rescue Squadron.
• Operations were coordinated with the regional maritime center in Jijel to ensure communication with the ship’s bridge and medical team.
• The passenger was safely airlifted from the vessel and transported to El Hadjar Hospital in Annaba for specialized treatment.

Outcome and Aftermath:

• Reports confirm that the medical evacuation was executed smoothly and without complications.
• No further information on the patient’s medical status has been released, respecting privacy considerations.
• Following the successful evacuation, Sky Princess resumed her planned course toward Spain, maintaining the voyage schedule.

Operational Context:

• The Sky Princess is part of Princess Cruises’ Royal-class fleet and is a frequent visitor to Mediterranean routes connecting major European ports.
• The incident demonstrates ongoing cooperation between commercial cruise lines and national maritime authorities in emergency response and cross-border medical coordination.