Medical Emergency - Turning Ship Around

[Regina]

As others have mentioned, this is where having a passport is vital. I'm sure that none of these folks ever envisioned this happening to them. Next year they'd have the added hassle of flying from the Caribbean without the required passport.

Let's hope the little guy who became ill is alright.

 

[misseulalie]

We were on the Magic on 10/28 and at sea and a helicopter landed to take a women off.

I was on that cruise, I didn't hear anything about that...what day did it happen? Also, out of curiousity, where does the helicopter land?

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I was on that cruise as well - and had no idea - was that when they called the code (brightstar or something similar ) during our trick or treating?????

 

[kritter]

I was on that cruise as well - and had no idea - was that when they called the code (brightstar or something similar ) during our trick or treating?????

Yes I was with my kids but Jen told me that a women fell up on the top deck. And she was on her honeymoon and they called the code put her on a backboard etc...Then CMS all started showing up. The man that they called out was her DH they could not locate him at first. THen DH was out on our Balcony and a man four rooms down and a few others and you could tell the ship had slowed down a bit. And you could see the helicpoter. CM told us later that night she was air lifted to PR...since that was the closed island...

 

[tvguy]

Good arguments for:

1) Travel Insurance

2) A Passport, even if it isn't required

3) And having enough cash/Travelers Checks/Credit available on a credit card to cover air fare home (at the much higher, last minute booking prices) plus hotel and food costs when you travel.

However, I have NO problem with how Princess treated these people after they left the ship. Their responsibility ended at getting the sick person to the nearest hospital in the shortest time possible.

In 7 cruises, we have had 2 medical emergencies on board. A passenger slipped and fell on the rocks on NCL's private island and had to be flown out by helicopter. And a crew member has his apendix burst on our HAL cruise to Alaska, a coast guard helicoter apparently airlifted him off the ship at 2 am....we slept through it.

But a co-worker of mine was on the Amsterdam this year, half way between Honolulu and San Diego when his apendix burst. HAL medical staff had to keep him stable for 2 days on board before they could get close enough to land for a helicopter rescue. The Coast Guard sent TWO helicopters (they were honest, since the ship was 500 miles from shore, they were concerned what would happen if one of the choppers crashed enroute), and a refueling plane to make the rescue.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Yes I was with my kids but Jen told me that a women fell up on the top deck. And she was on her honeymoon and they called the code put her on a backboard etc...Then CMS all started showing up. The man that they called out was her DH they could not locate him at first. THen DH was out on our Balcony and a man four rooms down and a few others and you could tell the ship had slowed down a bit. And you could see the helicpoter. CM told us later that night she was air lifted to PR...since that was the closed island...

Thank you!!! I had wondered about the code and the man's name being called!!!

Do you know - where do they land the helicopter - on some ships it is obvious - but do you know where it is on the Magic????

 

[IwasatWDWforamonth]

A cm told us it was a little boy with really bad pneumonia.

 

[dreamcometrue]

that's awful! Hope the child is ok!

 

[dizneetravelagent]

While eating dinner on our Jan '05 Eastern cruise, the ship felt like it was leaning to one side. It was actually quite unnerving. However, the captain soon came over the PA system and announced that we were making an abrupt and severe turn to head back to St.Maarten quickly for a medical emergency. Once there, we were met by an awaiting ambulance. The family was escorted off with their luggage, and then we pulled out. It was actually quite bizarre. I remember hoping that they had purchased the vacation insurance. I just can't imagine being in that situation.

 

[CPM]

However, I have NO problem with how Princess treated these people after they left the ship. Their responsibility ended at getting the sick person to the nearest hospital in the shortest time possible.
.

Don't you think they could have contacted the emergency contact person at the very least?

 

[tvguy]

Don't you think they could have contacted the emergency contact person at the very least?

If this person had been traveling alone, or traveling with minors, yes. But since this person was traveling with a spouse who could decide, who, if anyone to contact, no.

 

[jrabbit]

Do you know - where do they land the helicopter - on some ships it is obvious - but do you know where it is on the Magic????

Have heard that the cover the CM's pool and use that area. I also believe that a helicopter can't land on the Magic & Wonder so the evacuees would be hoisted up to the helicopter.

Just remember, I don't know any of this for sure, just bits and pieces I've picked up here on the DIS over the years and my memory isn't the greatest anymore!!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

that's OK - thank you!

we just got wondering - because some ships have clearly marked landing spots.

 

[tvguy]

I believe the Coast Guard prefers to lower someone down with a stokes basket and then hoist the patient up. Just too dangerous to land a helicopter plus it's tight quarters. My friend was hoisted up.
Although I do think ships are required to have a place to land too.

 

[mirby72]

On the Western Repositioning last year there three medical emergencies.



1. Castaway Cay (day 2) there as a death. One of the guests had a heart attack while snorkeling. The family was taken off CC by one of the local merchant boat over to Grand Bahama.



2. Curacao - Appendicitis. The patient was treated at a local hospital. Their family was taken off the boat while in port.



3. Panama Canal transit - Heat Exhaustion – The guest was taken off the ship via ambulance. The canal operator had to re-lower the Magic so that it could get the boarding ramp to the proper level

 

[Debbie H]

3. Panama Canal transit - Heat Exhaustion – The guest was taken off the ship via ambulance. The canal operator had to re-lower the Magic so that it could get the boarding ramp to the proper level[/QUOTE]


We were also on that cruise, the guy in the Panama Canal was taken off because he would not stop selling pins in the lobby. DCL asked him numerous times to stop and he would not. We witnessed DCL closing up his shop the night before we got to the Canal. He then decided to get off the ship via "heat exhaustion" because he was told they would have him leave the ship if they caught him again, so since he couldn't make any more money off all the excited passengers looking for the right pin, he got off.

 

[Capt_BJ]

Based on my experience 'in the industry'

DCL ships have nowhere to land a helo - there is no SOLAS requirement to have such an area. In few cases will USCG land on a non-government vessel (I've seen it done on very large tankers where the helo pad was huge) In most cases the risk to hoist is lower than the risk to land on a vessel with which one is not completely familiar. Naval and CG vessels spend a lot of time ensuring helo landing proceedures are standardized and there are very detailed emergency response plans....this can not be counted on for a commercial vessel. {now someone is gonna say an XXX helo could land ... a CG H-65 nor H-60 could safely land on MAG or WON}

Vessels will have a designated/prefered hoisting area. The pilot of the helo doing the hoist will make the call as to where the hoist is made to/from however. With the ship moving forward ... hoisting from the stern is often preferred - but sometimes construction has not provided an open area back there ... the hoist needs to be done to an area free of obstructions. CG procedure will typicaly lower a rescue swimmer to the ship first, to run the deck to CG procedural standards. Safety first.

CG as an element of US government does not charge for a helo evacuation. However an evac does not happen just because someone asks for one either. A flight surgeon makes the call and then there is the question of if an asset is anywhere in range. An example - just this week a patient was hoisted from a cruise ship in the old Bahama Channel and brought to land. In this particular case USCG also provided a jet and the patient was brought all the way back to Miami ... very unusual as more often the transport is to the nearest medical facility - typically the closest hospital. I don't know the details of this case but obviously there were additional factors which justified the extra effort. "no charge" ... but if the patient had been xferred to hospital on an island, then stablized....then needed to arrange own transport via air amb back to US - stand by checkbook $$$$$

So just a few points - based on fact not opinion - to hopefully clear up some wondering

 

[mmouse37]

We had a few things happen on the recent 11/4/06 Magic cruise....first, at the sailaway party there was a Brightstar announcement...something happening on Deck 2.

Next, unfortunately a guest passed awhile while on the Kayack Excursion in Key West.....two of my relatives were on that excursion and said it was a horrible experience. He apparently passed away from a heart attack. We kept hearing over the loud speaker onboard for a woman to report immediately to the Guest Service desk....not sure if this was in connection to the above or not. We later heard that the family disembarked in Key West to tend to plans.

Also on that cruise one of our traveling group had his brother pass away in Scotland (he was notified when we were in Grand Cayman) and he disembarked in Grand Cayman and flew to the states and then on to Scotland...and yes, thankfully he did have travel insurance.

So, moral of the story is you never know what could happen on a vacation...of course no one wants to think that a bad thing could happen but it is best to be prepared with Passports and definitely the right travel insurance. Travel insurance is one of those things that seems like a waste of money until you actually need it....then it could be a blessing.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Based on my experience 'in the industry'

DCL ships have nowhere to land a helo - there is no SOLAS requirement to have such an area. In few cases will USCG land on a non-government vessel (I've seen it done on very large tankers where the helo pad was huge) In most cases the risk to hoist is lower than the risk to land on a vessel with which one is not completely familiar. Naval and CG vessels spend a lot of time ensuring helo landing proceedures are standardized and there are very detailed emergency response plans....this can not be counted on for a commercial vessel. {now someone is gonna say an XXX helo could land ... a CG H-65 nor H-60 could safely land on MAG or WON}

Vessels will have a designated/prefered hoisting area. The pilot of the helo doing the hoist will make the call as to where the hoist is made to/from however. With the ship moving forward ... hoisting from the stern is often preferred - but sometimes construction has not provided an open area back there ... the hoist needs to be done to an area free of obstructions. CG procedure will typicaly lower a rescue swimmer to the ship first, to run the deck to CG procedural standards. Safety first.

CG as an element of US government does not charge for a helo evacuation. However an evac does not happen just because someone asks for one either. A flight surgeon makes the call and then there is the question of if an asset is anywhere in range. An example - just this week a patient was hoisted from a cruise ship in the old Bahama Channel and brought to land. In this particular case USCG also provided a jet and the patient was brought all the way back to Miami ... very unusual as more often the transport is to the nearest medical facility - typically the closest hospital. I don't know the details of this case but obviously there were additional factors which justified the extra effort. "no charge" ... but if the patient had been xferred to hospital on an island, then stablized....then needed to arrange own transport via air amb back to US - stand by checkbook $$$$$

So just a few points - based on fact not opinion - to hopefully clear up some wondering

thank you!!!

 

[lmok]

3. Panama Canal transit - Heat Exhaustion – The guest was taken off the ship via ambulance. The canal operator had to re-lower the Magic so that it could get the boarding ramp to the proper level

We were also on that cruise, the guy in the Panama Canal was taken off because he would not stop selling pins in the lobby. DCL asked him numerous times to stop and he would not. We witnessed DCL closing up his shop the night before we got to the Canal. He then decided to get off the ship via "heat exhaustion" because he was told they would have him leave the ship if they caught him again, so since he couldn't make any more money off all the excited passengers looking for the right pin, he got off.[/QUOTE]

This is unreal!!! I can't believe someone would go on the cruise to sell pins!!!