Sally Reed
A pregnant woman was reportedly airlifted from a Disney Cruise Line ship on Monday as she was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Drone footage captured the experience when a rescuer rappelled down from a helicopter to board the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.
Rescuer Rappelled Down From MH-60T Jayhawk Helicopter Over Atlantic Ocean
The footage showed a rescuer rappelling down from within an MH-607 Jayhawk helicopter. The helicopter hovered over the Disney cruise ship as it floated on the Atlantic Ocean.
Multiple reports confirm that the cruise ship was located northwest of Puerto Rico at the time of the rescue. The U.S. Coast Guard shared the captured footage of the rescue online.
Woman ‘Required Higher Level Of Medical Care’ Than Board Doctors Could Offer
The 35-year-old woman needed to be airlifted to a hospital due to the lack of sufficient resources and medical access on the boat. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, she “required a higher level of medical care” than what the board doctors could offer her within the medical bay of the ship.
The woman was strapped to the gurney and then reeled directly into the helicopter. The drone footage successfully captured every moment of the experience.
Coast Guard Received Communication From Disney Ship Requesting Medevac Assistance
The agency discussed the matter in an official press release that revealed more details related to the incident. The agency confirmed that watch standers for the Coast Guard in Sector San Juan were the ones that first received the call for assistance.
According to the press release, the call requested “medevac assistance as the cruise ship was transiting 260 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.”
Rescue Swimmer Prepared Rescue Basket, Litter To Safely Hoist The Woman
The rescue swimmer was deployed by the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew once the helicopter arrived on the scene. The rescue swimmer then “prepared a rescue basket and litter to safely hoist the patient and cruise ship doctor aboard the aircraft.”
Further reports confirm that an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft was flown in as well from Air Station Miami to assist with the rescue.
Passenger Airlifted To Puerto Rico Airport, Then Transported To Hospital
The passenger was reportedly airlifted to the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport. The airport is located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
According to the agency, the passenger was then transported to the Centro Medico Hospital. The hospital is approximately 7.2 miles away from the airport with an estimated drive time of 25-30 minutes.
Passenger’s Name, Health Complications Will Remain Undisclosed
Multiple reports and media outlets have only been able to describe the passenger by a few limited details. For instance, she is a 35-year-old pregnant woman that is also a U.S. citizen.
However, her name has not yet been officially released. The nature of her health complications that led to the U.S. Coast Guard rescue has not been revealed either to safeguard the privacy of the woman and her traveling companions.
Disney Cruise Line Prohibits Women From Sailing After Week 23 Of Pregnancy
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of the Disney Cruise Line website specifically highlights the company’s policy regarding pregnant passengers. According to the website, women are not allowed to be more than 23 weeks pregnant to set sail on the ship.
Further reports suggest that women entering Week 24 of their pregnancy during the trip itself would be refused embarkation.
Disney Cruise Line Cannot Be Held Liable, Responsible For Pregnancy Complications
The company also protected itself within its terms and conditions regarding pregnant passengers. For instance, Disney Cruise Line will not be held liable or responsible for any complications related to pregnancy.
This rule remains in place regardless of how far along the passenger is in their pregnancy. It is also not contingent on when the passenger first set sail during their trip.
‘Our Crew Was Able To Quickly, Safely, And Efficiently Execute’ Long-Range MEDEVAC
Lieutenant Commander Todd Stephens opened up about the experience in a statement as well. He stated that their crew “was able to quickly, safely, and efficiently execute a long-range MEDEVAC for the patient.”
Stephens confirmed that the objective of the MEDEVAC approach was to ensure that the patient was able to “receive the higher level of care she required.” He added that the case “demonstrates the value of good crew resource management and the capabilities of our Jayhawk helicopter.”
Coast Guard Unit Leader Credits Competency Of Personnel, Disney Fantasy Crew
Ensign Michael Riccio, the operations unit leader for Coast Guard Sector San Juan, stated that they were “glad everything came together to help this passenger.” He also shined a spotlight of credit and commendation to the Disney cruise ship crew.
Riccio stated that “the competency displayed by the Disney Fantasy crew and the Coast Guard personnel and units involved made all the difference.”
Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Is Sailing 7-Night Eastern Caribbean Itinerary
The Disney Fantasy cruise ship is reportedly sailing through a 7-night itinerary featuring the Easter Caribbean. As mentioned, it was located northwest of Aguadilla on the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico when the evacuation occurred.
One report confirms that the ship visited Tortola earlier this week and was scheduled to visit St. Thomas on Wednesday in addition to Castaway Cay, which is the private island destination located within the Bahamas that Disney Cruise Line owns. The ship will return to Port Canaveral on Saturday.
Specialized Prenatal Care, Newborn Care Is Typically Not Provided On Cruise Ships
All cruise ships are fully-equipped to handle standard medical conditions onboard without any airlifting or emergency evacuations required. This reportedly includes certain emergencies as well.
However, specialized prenatal care and newborn care is reportedly not available on most cruise ships.
Cruise Guest Previously Denied Boarding After Not Reading The Fine Print
A female guest, Kaylee Farrington, wanted to take a cruise from Brisbane, Australia last month even though she was pregnant. She was reportedly denied boarding without the provision of a refund.
Farrington was reportedly 26 weeks pregnant at the time of embarkation. This timing put her two weeks past the cruise line’s pregnant-related limitation. The details of this limitation were outlined in the ticket contract.
Farrington Was Signed Up For 3-Night Cruise Family Vacation, Birthday Celebration
Farrington was reportedly signed up for 3-night cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa. The cruise was supposed to be a birthday celebration for Farrington to enjoy along with her family.
However, she was denied boarding at the terminal, according to multiple reports. Even though she did not comply with the cruise ship limitations, her obstetrician had reportedly given her medical clearance to board the ship.
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