P&O ship rescues seafarers from sinking yacht

P&O Cruises’ Brisbane-based Pacific Dawn has rescued three seafarers who were forced to abandon their sinking yacht off New Caledonia.

Pacific Dawn was asked by marine rescue authorities in Noumea to go to the aid of the stricken vessel late last week after the seafarers sent out a distress call.

The ship with 2000 cruise passengers on board was close to the area and immediately changed course to go to its aid.

“Pacific Dawn and her crew have followed the finest traditions of the sea by going to the aid of fellow seafarers in peril on the sea,” Sture Myrmell, President of P&O Cruises Australia, said.

“It is wonderful to know that all three seafarers are now safe and well and being cared for on board Pacific Dawn.”

The three seafarers were given the opportunity of calling next of kin to let them know all was well.

At the time, Pacific Dawn was on the way back to Brisbane to complete a seven-night cruise to the South Pacific on Saturday.

Early reports from the scene were that the yacht sank as crew from a tender vessel from Pacific Dawn were plucking the three-stranded seafarers from their liferaft.

Pacific Dawn arrived in Brisbane on Saturday as scheduled. The captain gave guests regular updates throughout the sea rescue mission.

In July, Princess Cruises’ Sea Princess made a similar rescue in the Lesser Antilles after receiving distress calls from three sailors who were forced to take to a life raft after their boat sank.