Today was supposed to be another quiet day at sea as we continued our journey towards New Orleans. In the morning we attended a lecture on the music of the “Big Easy” before having a light lunch of pizza on the sun deck. The weather at this stage was hot and sunny and many of our fellow passengers were taking in the sun’s rays.
After lunch we settled down for separate entertainment, Sylvia decided to complete a few sketches with her water colours while I attended another concert by the flamenco guitarist. Just prior to the first note being plucked an announcement came over the tannoy. A yacht was in trouble in the area and the ship was going to turn around to see if it could be of assistance.
By the end of the concert the small vessel was in sight and the port side of the promenade deck was closed as we were going to attempt a rescue.
By this time the weather had changed, the sun had gone in and the wind had increased creating quite a swell as the yacht approached the ship. As it got close a line was thrown from our ship but the first one missed and the ship slowly drifted past.
Ventura manoeuvred allowing the vessel to come alongside again. The second line was thrown and attached, the mast of the yacht crashing into the side of the ship. There were three people onboard, an older man and two younger women. A harness was thrown and attached to the man who made his way to the side of his vessel to jump to our ship. As he hung on to the ladder his boat crashed once again into the side of the ship possibly hitting his legs.
One of the girls was next to attempt the “leap of faith” and completed it with no complications. The weather by this time had turned quite nasty with heavy rain and blustery winds causing the yacht to continually crash against our ship. The yacht had now sustained severe damage with the mast hanging on by a thread and swinging backwards and forwards. The last person indicated that she wanted to throw her luggage aboard but was told to leave it as it was her turn to jump.
The final person jumped and as she landed aboard Ventura she was greeted by a huge cheer and applause by the watching crowds that had gathered. The yacht was cut adrift and slowly moved away from our ship. Where it will end up is anyone’s guess.
So far this cruise has had helicopter lifts, medical emergencies and now an exciting sea rescue that could have gone horribly wrong. Whatever will happen next.