The captain and crew of the P&O Azura have been commended this weekend, after their decisive actions helped save the lives of three seafarers who were stranded off the coast of the Caribbean island of Grenada.
The three men were travelling in a small boat which became stranded in the Caribbean, before being rescued by the P&O Azura and treated by the ship’s medical staff. The stranded seafarers were said to be in poor physical condition when they were found by the cruise vessel.
P&O Cruises marketing director, Christopher Edgington, said: “As required both by international maritime law and the duty of all at sea, we have to assist any vessel or seafarer in danger.
“We commend the actions of Azura’s captain and crew, who performed admirably, acting swiftly to save other seafarers.”
International maritime law dictates that all vessel masters and captains have an obligation to render assistance to those in distress at sea (1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea).
The convention dictates that any ‘master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance, on receiving information from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance, if possible informing them or the search and rescue service that the ship is doing so.’
In spite of the rescue mission, the Azura is set to complete its planned itinerary around the islands of the Caribbean on time.
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: El Coleccionista de Instantes
