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Incident Summary
A medical evacuation was conducted from the AIDA Cruises ship AIDAperla on the morning of 3 February 2026 while the vessel was sailing off Bonaire. The ship’s medical team reported that a 37-year-old passenger from Germany had suffered an apparent heart attack. A Coast Guard rescue helicopter transferred the passenger ashore for further medical care. No further update on the passenger’s condition was disclosed in the source.
Vessel Information
- Vessel Name: AIDAperla
- Vessel Type: Cruise ship
- Operator/Cruise Line: AIDA Cruises
- Flag State: Not specified
- Passengers on Board: Not specified
- Crew on Board: Not specified
Details of the Incident
AIDAperla was reported to be on a 14-day Caribbean itinerary that commenced in Barbados on 22 January 2026.
On the morning of 3 February 2026, while the vessel was sailing near waters off Bonaire, the Maritime Operations Center received a distress report from the ship’s medical team regarding a 37-year-old passenger from Germany who had suffered an apparent heart attack.
After consultation with an on-call physician, it was determined the passenger required immediate removal from the vessel for specialised care ashore. A Coast Guard rescue helicopter was tasked to intercept the vessel at sea and conduct the transfer, with the patient lifted ashore where ambulance personnel were positioned to transport him to a local medical facility.
Injuries and Casualties
- Fatalities: None reported
- Injuries: One passenger reported to have suffered an apparent heart attack
- Passengers Affected: One 37-year-old passenger from Germany
Emergency Response
- Maritime Operations Center received a distress report from the ship’s medical team and consulted with an on-call physician.
- A Coast Guard rescue helicopter intercepted AIDAperla at sea and transferred the patient ashore.
- Ambulance personnel were positioned ashore to convey the patient to a local medical facility.
Maritime Investigation
No investigation was reported in the source.
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA): Not specified
- Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB): Not specified
- Police/coroner involvement: Not specified
Operator Response
Not specified
Conclusion
The passenger was medically evacuated from AIDAperla by Coast Guard helicopter and transported ashore by ambulance to a local medical facility. No further information on the passenger’s condition was provided in the source.