After answering a mayday call off New Caledonia on Saturday, P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter has rescued three stranded sailors.
With around 3,000 guests onboard – many of whom would have viewed the rescue in progress – the ship swiftly altered its course to aid the distressed seafarers.
The wayward sailors, two men and a woman, were on a voyage from Queensland to Noumea when their yacht faced a perilous situation with a broken mast and power loss, leaving them stranded at sea for three days.
Thanks to the quick action of Pacific Encounter’s crew, the trio – hailing from New Caledonia – were brought aboard the ship safely and in good health, receiving medical assessment by the onboard team.
After the successful rescue, Pacific Encounter resumed its journey to Noumea.
It’s not the first time P&O Cruises has come to the aid of a distressed mariner in the region.
In October last year, Pacific Encounter’s sister ship, Pacific Explorer, rescued a 24-year-old Australian south of Vanuatu after it received a plea for assistance from the New Caledonia Marine Rescue Coordination Centre.
The young Aussie, Tom Robinson, was attempting to become the youngest person to row solo across the Pacific Ocean.
In a statement, Robinson offered a “huge thank you to all the crew on P&O Pacific Explorer whose seamanship and professionalism ensured a safe rescue”.
Earlier this year, P&O Cruises Australia debuted a new brand platform, ‘Brings Us All Together’, designed to celebrate the ability to create deeper connections between family, friends and fellow passengers on a cruise holiday.
In 2023, P&O Cruises – once known as The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company – celebrated 90 years of cruising Australia.
