The Royal Caribbean-owned Liberty of the Seas was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean near Florida on January 9 when it came across a stranded fishing boat with 15 passengers.
The boat reportedly issued distress signals and used flares to get the attention of nearby vessels. Unable to directly assist because of rough seas, crew members aboard Liberty of the Seas notified the US Coast Guard (USCG) and stood guard while the smaller boat awaited rescue.
According to News Channel 8, passengers were successfully moved to the USCG’s rescue craft while one was airlifted into the Coast Guard’s helicopter. The distressed boat was approximately 36 miles northeast of Boca Raton when it experienced engine failure.
Liberty of the Seas was nearing the end of a four-day roundtrip cruise to the Bahamas when it responded to the emergency. It left Fort Lauderdale on January 6 and was on its way back after visiting Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s island resort Coco Cay. Despite stopping to assist, the Freedom-class vessel returned in time for its January 10 sailing.
The 4,960-passenger ship was built in 2007 and refurbished in 2021. Its key amenities include the Splashaway Bay waterpark, the Boleros Latin lounge, an adults-only Solarium, Giovanni’s Table Italian Restaurant, The Perfect Storm waterslide, Sabor Mexican Restaurant, and an ice skating rink.
Vessels from other cruise lines also recently reported successful search and rescue operations. In November 2024, Disney Treasure rescued four seafarers while Celebrity Reflection assisted a man whose boat had capsized last December. More recently, two people traveling with their dog were retrieved from the ocean after their vessel overturned.
Ships are obligated to assist other vessels in distress due to international maritime law. This responsibility is outlined in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
