The crew of the Carnival Splendor has successfully rescued four individuals, including two Australians, stranded on a malfunctioning catamaran near New Caledonia. The cruise ship’s team responded to a distress signal relayed by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia.
On Thursday, the ship located and retrieved the stranded sailors, who were accompanied by three dogs. The individuals rescued were Dusty and Helena, an Australian couple who document their travels on their YouTube channel, Sailing Barking Cat. They were on a voyage aimed at circumnavigating the globe, having previously sailed the Australian coastline and continuing towards Fiji with their two French bulldogs and a mini husky.
Joined by another couple, one German and one Italian, Dusty and Helena’s journey commenced on May 14. Unfortunately, they experienced engine failure and a broken mast due to adverse weather conditions, leaving them stranded at sea.
In less than five hours after receiving the alert, the crew of Carnival Splendor arrived at the location and successfully brought the couples and their dogs on board. According to a spokeswoman from Carnival Cruise Line, the rescued group was provided with food, water, and medical assistance. The ship had departed Sydney on Monday for an eight-day cruise that included destinations such as Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The rescued sailors are expected to disembark in Nouméa.