Is it safe to pick up stranded boaters?

[4DisneyAddicts]

It seems as though there are more and more stories of Disney ships picking up stranded boaters.
I don't know how accurate some of the stories are, but it seems to me that this could be very risky. I am not an anxious person at all, but in today's world I would be very concerned about people posing as stranded boaters and boarding a boat with bad intentions. I'm not suggesting these people should not be helped, but rather that maybe Disney should notify coast guard or other authority (depending upon which country has responsibility of the area they are in) or go out in a life boat and offer them a safe place until government help is available.

Does anyone know how Disney handles these situations?

 

[Chelley00]

We were On a ship (not Disney) that picked up stranded boaters. They were placed under guard in rooms until the next port. They weren't just running around the ship.

 

[Saimaeve]

They're required to offer assistance aren't they? It's not like the people get a free cruise or concierge service. I imagine safety is considered. And not everyone is out to hurt others.

 

[squirk]

I'm sure Disney has this covered.

 

[MunFam]

I was concerned as well when it came up a few days ago...but my mind was put at ease after reading this post.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/12-rescued-now-on-the-wonder-update-from-cnn.3483698/

 

[Shanti]

I'm proud that DCL does the right thing and helps those in need on the water.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

I'm proud that DCL does the right thing and helps those in need on the water.

Pretty sure it is required by maritime law so irregardless of wanting to do the right thing, they are required to assist.

 

[bumbershoot]

It is literally a maritime law that they MUST assist, so there is no choice.


These are people fleeing from a country they don't want to be in (I'm considering being one of them going the opposite but no one takes Americans), they have been on a *raft* for who knows how many days. They are asking for assistance because they are in trouble. They have been around WATER for days; water and things that go boom don't play well together. They are kept away from everyone.

And it's the law that they are helped. And it's not just DCL that does it.

 

[DLM1980]

So I was on the Wonder when the 11 Cuban refugees were picked up and then a day later the 2 Americans where the one was arrested for being the hacker behind the children's hospital computer hack in 2014

At no time did I feel threatened, in fact after each announcement was made that we had new guests on board the ship erupted in applause

Now I don't know how reliable the following info is but...

My dinning mates said they were talking with the wife of someone in security and the refugees were given dry clothes, Mickey hats, food and the one who was diabetic had received treatment for the diabetes

During my "imagining the wonder" tour, Bret our tour guide, was asked about their being a Disney jail on the ship and he said there wasn't but that rooms in the health center could be used for quarantineng people. He also mentioned that the refugees were put up in the crew bar

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

As previously posted, by international Maritime laws and IMO and Solas regulations and good practices at sea, all vessels must offer assistance to anyone in distress at sea. The Master works together with local CG and maritime authorities and rescue the people and ten it is determined where and when they are taken off the vessel.

With specially trained security procedures and CM's, including secure areas (brig if available), arms, and most of these people wearing little more the pants and a shirt and no where to hide weapons, thereis little or no chance of danger to the Vessel, passengers or crews.

AKK

 

[over50visits]

As usual, great info!

As …..passengers or crews.

AKK

As usual, great info!

 

[MUN]

It seems as though there are more and more stories of Disney ships picking up stranded boaters.
I don't know how accurate some of the stories are, but it seems to me that this could be very risky. I am not an anxious person at all, but in today's world I would be very concerned about people posing as stranded boaters and boarding a boat with bad intentions. I'm not suggesting these people should not be helped, but rather that maybe Disney should notify coast guard or other authority (depending upon which country has responsibility of the area they are in) or go out in a life boat and offer them a safe place until government help is available.

Does anyone know how Disney handles these situations?

What has Guest Services said when you voiced your concerns about this?

 

[mmouse37]

Back in 2001 the Magic came to the aid of Cuban refugees and back then they did not bring them onboard. We watched the whole thing unfold as they threw a line to the small boat. They were tethered there and the Magic crew tossed fruit and bottled water into the small boat. The Coast Guard was notified and when they arrived all the refugees jumped out of the rowboat and started swimming away. The CG got them all onboard the CG boat and took them away. The Magic hauled the small rowboat onboard and we were on our way. It made the whole thing worse as it was formal night and here are hundreds of formally dressed guests hanging over the side of Deck 4 watching these poor men in tattered clothes trying to flee from the Coast Guard. It was just sad all around. Made me really appreciate my life.

MJ

 

[CamColt]

We were on the Wonder last February when a "boat"of Cubans were spotted. We had been going "full speed ahead" as the Captain had said, to get to CC ahead of a front so we could dock. A Cast Member who could communicate with them was let down to see if they were in distress. They did throw them some water bottles and talk to them some but we did not take them onboard. What we were told was if they are in distress then the ship has to take them on. This group was not, so instead we had to sit and watch them until the Coast Guard arrived and got them.