Passengers aboard the Emerald Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, reported a dramatic but ultimately successful rescue incident after a marine pilot fell into the ocean while attempting to board the vessel near the Hawaiian Islands.
According to eyewitness accounts, a “man overboard” alarm was immediately activated after the pilot entered the water. Crew members aboard the pilot boat responded quickly and safely recovered the pilot, who reportedly did not suffer serious injuries.
Details of the incident were shared by travel agent and passenger Walter Biscardi Jr., who described the event in social media posts and in comments to People.com. He said that sea conditions were rough at the time, with strong winds and noticeable vessel movement as the ship waited offshore for the pilot.
The 113,561-gross-ton cruise ship, registered in Bermuda, was operating a Hawaii itinerary and was scheduled to call at Kauai on Tuesday, February 10. According to passengers, the ship remained offshore for about 20 minutes while the captain maneuvered in open water awaiting the pilot transfer.
Large cruise ships often perform positioning maneuvers to create a more sheltered area for pilot boat operations, although it remains unclear whether such maneuvers were being carried out during this incident. The 951-foot (288-meter) vessel can carry approximately 3,080 passengers and 1,200 crew members.
Witnesses said the pilot appeared to make several attempts to climb the pilot ladder before slipping into the “churning ocean.” From his cabin balcony, Biscardi observed the pilot remaining calm while the pilot boat approached. Two crew members from the pilot vessel successfully lifted the pilot back on board.
Following the incident, the scheduled port call was canceled, and the cruise ship continued its voyage toward its next destination — the island of Maui.
