British Cruise Passenger Airlifted to Hospital by Spanish Coastguard

Image: Galician Coast Guard

British passenger aboard the Sky Princess cruise ship was airlifted to a hospital by the Spanish coastguard last week after experiencing a medical emergency at sea.

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Spain’s Galician Coast Guard shared images of Sky Princess staff and emergency personnel assisting the woman into a helicopter rescue basket before she was lifted off the ship for urgent medical care.

According to a statement on Facebook, the Galician Coast Guard reported: “The Pesca 1 helicopter of the Galician Coast Guard service evacuated a passenger from the Sky Princess cruise ship, 15 miles west of A Guarda.” The woman was subsequently transferred to Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital on Wednesday, March 26, after suffering heart problems.

The Sky Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, is currently on a 27-day one-way voyage that began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The cruise includes stops in Spain and Portugal, Morocco, and the Canary Islands before concluding in Southampton on April 5.

After its arrival in Southampton, the ship is scheduled to embark on a seven-night cruise to Spain and France. The Sky Princess can accommodate up to 3,660 guests and offers travelers a range of luxurious amenities and entertainment options.

Medical emergencies at sea can present significant challenges, but the quick response by the Galician Coast Guard ensured that the passenger received the necessary medical attention in time. Princess Cruises has not released further details about the passenger’s condition.

This incident highlights the importance of emergency preparedness aboard cruise ships and the crucial role played by maritime rescue services in ensuring passenger safety on international voyages.