Cruise passenger rescue off Vanuatu after jump

A man who jumped from an Australian cruise ship as it was near Vanuatu has been rescued.

A P&O Cruises Australia spokesman has reported that the 22-year-old passenger jumped when the Pacific Dawn was at a point approximately 20 nautical miles off Vila at 5:00am local time today.

The man was seen by a member of staff who reported that he was in a restricted area of the ship. When he jumped the ship’s employee raised the alarm and flares and a life buoy were deployed.

The 70,000-tonne cruise ship made a full turn and the man was rescued in around 45 minutes.

“The passenger was rescued quickly because of the immediate reaction of our crew,” the line’s spokesman noted. “It was a textbook rescue operation and we are very pleased that our passenger was returned safely to the ship.”

A doctor on the cruise ship assessed the man’s condition and it was decided that he would leave the cruise in Vila, in the interests of his well-being, the spokesman added.

An investigation into the incident will be conducted by P&O Cruises, which will involve a review of CCTV footage and interviews with eyewitnesses.

Currently, the Pacific Dawn is berthed at Vila, which is a scheduled port of call on its 10-night cruise of the South Pacific.

Thanks to www.theaustralian.news.com.au for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.pocruises.com.au