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Plymouth RNLI's relief All-Weather Lifeboat ‘Volunteer Spirit’ was requested to launch by Falmouth Coastguard to assist with a medical evacuation from the 'Queen Anne', en route from Southampton, UK, to Cadiz, 1.5 nautical miles south of the Plymouth Breakwater on Sep 23, 2024, at 5.39 a.m. The lifeboat, launched from the Millbay Marina at 6.15 a.m. and made best speed towards the cruise ship, already diverting to Plymouth from the English Channel, and finally rendezvousing just before 6.25 a.m. Once on scene the patient was assessed by the casualty care crew, and in consultation with the cruise ship’s medical team the decision was made to evacuate the person to the lifeboat via the pilot ladder to be taken back to the Plymouth Lifeboat Station into the care of South Western Ambulance Service for onward treatment in hospital. Report with photo: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2024/september/24/plymouth-rnli-volunteers-evacuate-injured-crew-member-from-323m-ocean-liner

The “Aeolos Kenteris” is resting half-submerged in Augusta, and a video, taken by a group of explorers in Sep 2024, reveals the ship’s current state: a decaying shell, its interior ravaged by time and neglect. The ship, which gained fame for its speed of up to 40 knots),operating on routes like Piraeus-Chios-Lesvos and Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Santorini, caused problems, as its wake caused significant coastal damage, forcing it to reduce speed and stay further from shore. In 2007, “Aeolos Kenteris” was sold and began operating in the Red Sea. It eventually returned to Greece and was chartered to connect Augusta and Valletta. Renovations in Augusta led to the ship’s seizure due to unpaid debts of 5 million Euros. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzfwEBcDhOA

The U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) conducted a successful medical evacuation of a 37-year-old crew member of the ' Jin Hsiang Fa' approximately 138 nautical miles northwest of Saipan on Sep 21, 2024, with coordination from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. Following a request for assistance from the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Taipei at 10:30 p.m. on Sep 20, the Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam began coordinating the response with HSC-25. The man was suffering from severe medical symptoms, including leg swelling and reduced consciousness. Responders consulted the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a rapid evacuation and access to advanced medical care. The 'Jin Hsiang Fa', originally transiting over 350 nautical miles north of Guam, was directed to proceed toward Saipan to expedite the medevac. The Navy’s MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crew launched from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and refueled in Saipan before heading offshore. The Knighthawk crew rendezvoused with the 'Jin Hsiang Fa' at twilight and safely hoisted the ailing crewman. He was then transported to Guam, arriving just before sunset, where awaiting emergency medical services met them and transferred him for further treatment. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3915158/us-coast-guard-navy-medically-evacuate-ill-crewman-from-foreign-fishing-vessel/

Environmental protesters have once again blocked cruise ships from entering the port of Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). The associations Stop Croisières and Extinction Rébellion took to the port entrance on Sep 21, 2024. The 'Aidastella' was forced to turn back at around 07:00 a.m., with 2,000 passengers on board. At least three cruise ships and a ferry from Corsica also had to wait at sea before the port reopened. The protesters remained on the water in kayaks, before being removed by the maritime police. The port reopened at around 09:00,a.m. Around 20 people were arrested. The political group Une Génération pour Marseille responded: “These activists provoked an emergency manoeuvre for a ship, putting thousands of passengers’ lives at risk. This is the face of those who want to see the economic and social decline of Marseille. Our port is not a lawless zone.” Report with photo: https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/environmental-protesters-block-cruise-ships-from-marseille-port/679893

A US Coast Guard helicopter aircrew medically evacuated an 8-year-old boy from the 'Royal Princess' approximately 20 miles west of Eureka on Sep 25, 2024. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders received notification at approximately 7 a.m. from Sector Columbia River relaying a request from the 'Royal Princess', stating that the boy was diagnosed with appendicitis and needed to be medevaced. Sector Humboldt Bay watchstanders then coordinated the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter around 8 a.m. The helicopter arrived on-scene, hoisted the boy along with his family aboard and transferred him to emergency medical services at Saint Joseph Hospital in Eureka around 9:40 a.m. Report with video: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3916380/coast-guard-medevacs-8-year-old-boy-from-cruise-ship-near-eureka/