Coastguard and Lifeboat Crews Respond to Medical Emergency on £128m Cruise Ship in Plymouth Sound

Photo: David Crawley via PlymouthLive

A medical emergency on the £128m cruise ship Artania prompted a swift response from the coastguard and lifeboat crews. At the same time, the vessel was anchored in Plymouth Sound during a one-day stop at Britain’s Ocean City. The incident required evacuating a person from the ship, with a coastguard helicopter and an RNLI lifeboat deployed to the scene.

Photo: David Crawley via PlymouthLive

At around 10 am, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCGA) was alerted. A spokesperson for the MCGA stated, “HM Coastguard responded to reports of a medical incident on a vessel in the Plymouth Sound area today. Alerted at around 10 am, the Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Team, a lifeboat from Plymouth RNLI, and the coastguard helicopter from Newquay were sent to the scene.”

Eyewitness David Crawley observed the event, noting the helicopter's approach: “I heard the helicopter coming over from Cornwall, and they did a few circles around the sound. When I looked at the helicopter's AIS (automatic identification system) tracking, it appeared they had landed on the Hoe. I couldn’t see from the side I was on, but on the ship tracking app, an RNLI boat was alongside the cruise ship. They arrived before the helicopter. It was good the wind wasn’t strong today because it would have made the winching even more challenging.”

The coastguard helicopter winched a person from Artania and landed on Plymouth Hoe. The nearby RNLI lifeboat from West Hoe also attended to assist in the rescue.

Richard Allan, harbour master for Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, described the operation as a “medivac” and praised the efficiency of the crews, stating: “It was dealt with swiftly.” The incident lasted only a few minutes and did not affect Artania’s scheduled departure at 5 pm.

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Initially launched 40 years ago by the late Princess Diana and named Royal Princess, the Artania was the most expensive passenger ship in the world at its construction. Now operated by Phoenix Reisen Cruises and refurbished in 2022, the Bahamas-flagged vessel has eight decks and accommodates up to 1,260 passengers in 594 cabins, supported by 537 crew members. The ship offers luxurious amenities with only outside cabins, including two restaurants, a swimming pool, numerous bars and lounges, a cinema, a boutique, and even an onboard hospital with a German doctor.