Cruise ship Saga Pearl II sails to the rescue of injured yachtsman in mid-Atlantic

To the rescue: Saga Pearl II diverts from cruise to aid injured yachtsman

EXCLUSIVE  by LESLEY BELLEW

 

Cruise ship Saga Pearl II made a dramatic rescue in the middle of the North Atlantic last night (Saturday, Nov 22) to bring aboard a seriously injured French yachtsman.

On route to Cape Verde, Captain Wesley Dunlop answered a call for assistance from the Portuguese marine authorities and made a 90-mile diversion to meet the catamaran Coco Jet III.

Nicolas Hauzy, 36, needed 28 stitches after he lacerated his left leg on the drive shaft of his yacht’s engine while cruising from the Canary Islands to Martinique.

Within four hours from the distress call on Saturday afternoon, Saga Pearl II came in sight of the yacht. As darkness fell, Capt Dunlop manoeuvred the ship to allow the catamaran to come leeside, thereby cutting out the wind.

In two-metre swells the yacht drifted close to the ship and Mr Hauzy made a dramatic jump on board the 400-passenger cruise ship.

Capt Dunlop had been expecting to put out a pontoon to allow the ship’s doctor to board the yacht and assess the patient.

Capt Dunlop said: “It was a most difficult operation because of the swell and the crew dealt with it very well.

“We had intended to get onto the yacht but when it came right alongside Mr Hauzy made the jump. In an emergency you always plan ahead but very often have to adjust those plans depending on the situation when you arrive on scene.

“Mr Hauzy is a very brave man.”

Mr Hauzy, who was part-way through a year’s sailing trip with his family, said he there had been a problem with the yacht’s hydraulic motor and as he was attempting to fix it his trouser leg got caught in the engine drive shaft.

He said: “I bandaged myself up and put a distress procedure in place because I was worried that I would not be able to take care of the yacht and my family.

“Captain Dunlop is the very best captain I have ever encountered. My worst fear was that I would not be able to board the ship. It was so impressive that a big ship came to my rescue and changed course to come to help a small vessel. I cannot thank the captain and medical team enough.”

The ship’s doctor David Townsend had been prepared to board the catamaran but instead attended the Parisian businessman in the ship’s medical centre.  He said: “It was a severe laceration to the inside left of the ankle, needing 28 stitches.”

Mr Hauzy said: “I was surprised to see such a professional medical set-up on the ship. I did not realise there would be a doctor and nurses on board. I am again very thankful. They said that they had dealt with worse than this!”

The drama unfolded when Saga Pearl II was within 200 miles of Sao Vicente, in Cape Verde. Capt Dunlop made a public announcement to say he had received a message from the Portuguese Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) that a French yacht had reported one of its crew was injured and in need of urgent medical assistance.

As Saga Pearl II was the nearest vessel with a doctor on board, Capt Dunlop took the decision to change course to answer the call.

Passengers were kept informed throughout the operation with a further message from the captain at 6pm, stating he had received further information that the passenger had suffered a ‘very nasty gash’ on the leg.  He explained that the plan of action was for two of his crew to board the yacht, exiting from a lower deck shell door, and put out a pontoon for the yacht to come alongside.

Capt Dunlop also gave passengers good notice that he would be turning the ship sideways and reducing speed, explaining that the stabilisers would therefore not be as effective.

During the rescue passengers continued with their formal dinner, the ladies dressed in glamorous cocktail gowns and the men in dinner suits and bow ties.

Mr Hauzy is expected to rejoin his family, including his wife Adelaide and his four children, Tristan, 10, Hadrien, nine, Athenias, four, and Ignace, two, when Coco Jet III arrives in Porto Grande on Monday.

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Gonzalo blows cruise off-course

High winds and heavy seas caused by the remnants of ex-hurricane Gonzalo have created havoc for a cruise ship in the Irish Sea.

MV Funchal, on charter to Cruise & Maritime Voyages, was returning from a 15-night voyage to Norway. Having seen the weather forecast, the operators decided it would be unwise to follow the original schedule, which would have meant sailing through the worst of the weather to reach port at Avonmouth, Bristol.

Plans were made to berth in Liverpool on Monday evening, and to transfer the 414 passengers by coach on Tuesday morning.

However, sea conditions made it impossible for a pilot to board the vessel and the local authorities decided it was unsafe for the ship to enter port.

Funchal took shelter off the Isle of Man to ride out the worst of the storm, and waited until calmer seas allowed her to enter the Mersey this morning (Wednesday).

Arrangements have also been made to transfer passengers joining the ship’s eight-night cruise to the Canary Islands later today.

Chris Coates, Commercial Director of CMV said: “In liaison with our agent and port authorities we have done everything we can to expedite Funchal’s arrival into Liverpool with the comfort and safety of our passengers our top priority. 

“We took the decision yesterday to re-route Funchal and finish the cruise in Liverpool to seek shelter and avoid the very heavy seas on our final passage to Avonmouth. Our passengers have been fully updated of the situation.”

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Princess brings weddings at sea right up to the present

Romance is in the air again at Princess Cruises, which seems determined to wring every ounce from its Love Boat reputation.

The line was the first to offer a sea-going wedding programme back in 1998 – until then the thought of as Captain performing a ceremony at sea was just a myth. Now Princess’s “Tie The Knot” wedding programme also offers harbour-side and beachfront weddings at some ports of call.

And of course Princess ships were the location for filming TV series The Love Boat.

Today’s move has much more of a modern ring to it – couples will be able to create their own online registry to encourage friends to contribute towards the cost of a cruise honeymoon and to pay for shore excursions, spa treatments, romantic dinners and even cocktails by the pool.

All very sweet and dewy-eyed, but someone should help UK managing director Paul Ludlow get with the programme – his suggestion that “many couples [are] already co-habiting before marriage,” meaning that “the traditional home-start gifts are often not needed” is distinctly unromantic.

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All Leisure cuts its losses and sells cruise ship Discovery for $5m

The cruise ship Discovery – one of the original locations for filming TV series Love Boat – has been sold for $5 million.

On paper, owners All Leisure Group have made a substantial loss on the deal, because the 43-year-old vessel was valued at £9.9 million.

But they made a loss of £3 million operating the 710-passenger ship in 2013. After sailing the ship under their Voyages of Discovery brand, All Leisure chartered it to Cruise & Maritime Voyages two years ago, and ran it as a joint venture.

A company statement said: "Although the consideration received is less than the current book value of the vessel, the board's decision to sell MV Discovery also took into account the absence of the future liabilities and other uncertainties associated with many other bids."

The ship’s future under new owners Liberty Resources, of Nassau, Bahamas, is unclear. Discovery left Avonmouth for the last time on October 9. It was handed over to a new Indian crew in Falmouth the next day, and was reportedly re-named Amen. It is currently in the Mediterranean, heading east, although its AIS automated tracking system has not been updated to show its next port of call.

UPDATE: According to its AIS, Discovery, now named Amen, has been re-classified as a cargo ship and is expected to reach Dubai before the end of the month.

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Taking command of Viking's first ocean cruise ship

Contrary to the popular misconception, he does not wear a horned helmet or carry an axe. But Gulleik Svastalog (above) is the newest Viking captain.

He will be in command of Viking Star when it welcomes its first passengers next April, and is already overseeing the construction of the ship at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard near Venice.

Capt Svastalog brigs 45 years of sailing experience to Viking Ocean Cruises’ first vessel.  He has held a variety of senior ship management positions and has worked as superintendent for Norwegian Cruise Line and Crystal Cruises, and as Lead Auditor for the international maritime classification society, Det Norske Veritas (DNV). His most recent position was captain of Color Line Cruises.

He grew up on a farm in the mountains of Norway, but turned to the sea when he realized he was allergic to hay and horses. Now he says sailing is in  his blood, and that after so many years at sea, he has saved the best till last.

“We could not ask for a better captain for our first ocean ship,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises. “Captain Svalastog brings an impeccable record that will undoubtedly guide Viking Star and her guests though a successful maiden season.”  

Viking Star is the first of three ocean cruise ships confirmed for the company which has revolutionised river cruising in Europe. Each carrying up to 930 passengers, Star, Sea and Sky will operate itineraries designed to give maximum time in port, and with excursions and gratuities included in the fare.

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Cost and security concerns rule out Liverpool using Cunard Building as a cruise terminal

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, and the Cunard Building ECHO picture

Liverpool is likely to abandon ambitious plans to convert its famous Cunard Building into a cruise terminal.

One of the Three Graces – alongside the Liver Building and the former headquarters of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board – it was bought by the City Council for £15 million.

The Mayor, Joe Anderson, hoped its ticket hall could be used to check in passengers embarking cruise ships at the nearby Pier Head. Other plans included a restaurant and heritage centre.

But in order to meet border control and customs requirements, the passengers would have had to be transferred using a secure system, possibly a monorail.

According to consultants, the total cost of refurbishing the building and meeting security demands could have doubled the total cost, taking it to what has been described as “an astronomical” £30 million.

It is now likely the building will be used to accommodate council staff moved from other offices in the city, and the council would also consider offers to convert its upper floors into a hotel.

Mayor Anderson admits: “It is unlikely we will be able to deliver on putting the cruise terminal into the Cunard Building. The cost is astronomical; not only will it cost a fortune, [the pedestrian link] would take up space and blight the waterfront.

He denied that the council had bought a white elephant. “In seven years’ time, people will say ‘what a wonderful opportunity the mayor took.’ The purchase will be a success, not a millstone around my neck.”

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