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Introduction
A serious incident necessitated an emergency medical evacuation during the sea trials of Utopia Of The Seas on May 11, 2024. The trials were being conducted in the Bay of Biscay when a male worker sustained injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
Details of the Incident
The injured worker was airlifted by a helicopter team from Securite Civile (French Civil Defense Rescue). The operation involved hoisting the man in a rescue basket from the ship, which was approximately 8 nautical miles off Belle-Ile. He was then transported to a local hospital for treatment. The incident was reported to French authorities at 4:21 pm (14:21 UTC), and the rescue was efficiently coordinated by the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture’s Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center.
Operational Context
Utopia Of The Seas, under the command of Captain Gus Andersson, was carrying over 900 crew and contract workers specializing in various fields such as engineering, navigation, and naval architecture. The sea trials, intended to test the vessel’s systems and performance, were temporarily impacted by the emergency but continued after ensuring the safety of all personnel involved.