Norwegian Cruise Line has reported that the Norwegian Star cruise ship rescued six stranded on a sailboat Tuesday afternoon.
Captain Kenneth Harstrom received word from the U.S. Coast Guard that Avenir, a sailing yacht, had lost its rudder. The boat had lost all steering capability and was at the mercy of the sea. The captain immediately turned the ship around and rescued the three men and three women who were on the yacht.
The 41-foot yacht was on its was to Newport, Rhode Island from Bermuda. The boat was 230 miles into the journey when the problems began. The crew tried to rig a temporary rudder without success. After several of the crew became extremely seasick, the captain called the called the U.S. Coast Guard for help.
The crew of the Star worked together to hoist the 6 to safety aboard the cruise ship.
The 2,350 passenger Norwegian Star was on her way to Bermuda for a week long cruise after leaving the Port of New York on Sunday.
It is not uncommon for cruise ships to aid when other sea vessels have problems. In early April, the Oasis of the Seas rescued 23 Cubans from a disabled boat near the Cayman Islands.
Several weeks later, the Star Princess made headlines for ignoring a disabled Panamanian fishing vessel and was sued after 2 of the 3 men died after several weeks at sea.
Cruise Fever will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.
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