MSC Splendida Rescues 19 Migrants off Mallorca – 26 October 2025

On 26 October 2025, the cruise ship MSC Splendida responded to a distress alert and rescued 19 people—including two small children aged three and four—from the water south of Mallorca after their overcrowded boat capsized in rough seas. The rescue operation, led by Captain Giuseppe Maresca and his bridge and safety teams, was completed within 30 minutes approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Cabrera Archipelago in the Balearic Islands.

All 19 rescued individuals remained aboard MSC Splendida until the vessel reached Barcelona, where they were transferred to Spanish authorities and placed under the care of social services in accordance with standard maritime procedure.

Spanish maritime authorities alerted MSC Splendida to a small craft in distress believed to have departed the Maghreb region. Upon arrival at the scene, several people were already in the water clinging to debris from the sinking vessel. Under Captain Maresca's command, life rings and ladders were deployed, and trained seafarers—including a dedicated team of Samoan crew members—entered the rescue zone to assist those struggling to stay afloat. All 19 people were safely recovered despite challenging sea conditions. Once aboard, the rescued individuals received food, water, medical evaluations, and dry clothing.

Vessel

• Name: MSC Splendida
• Operator: MSC Cruises
• Type: Cruise ship

Incident location

• Approximately 20 nautical miles south of the Cabrera Archipelago, Balearic Islands, Spain
• Date: 26 October 2025

Rescued

• 19 individuals: 16 men, 1 woman, and 2 children (aged 3 and 4)
• Crew involved in rescue: Samoan seafarers and trained bridge team under Captain Giuseppe Maresca

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• None reported.

Rescued

• All 19 individuals safely recovered and provided with medical evaluation, food, water, and dry clothing aboard MSC Splendida.

Spanish maritime authorities issued the initial distress alert. MSC Splendida responded immediately, with Captain Giuseppe Maresca coordinating the rescue operation and Safety Officer Antonio Bovento managing the response. The Samoan crew team received special recognition from Samoa Shipping Services (SSS), their crewing agency, for their professionalism and humanitarian response. A private dinner was hosted in the Captain's Lounge to honour those involved in the rescue.

"The incident reflects the essential contribution of Samoan seafarers to global maritime safety and underscores the enduring ethos of rescue and compassion at sea." — Samoa Shipping Services (SSS)

The 19 rescued individuals were transferred to Spanish authorities upon MSC Splendida's arrival in Barcelona and placed under the care of social services. The rescue operation exemplifies the continuing role of cruise and commercial vessels as first responders under the obligations of the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) in the western Mediterranean.