A Princess Cruises ship plucked four people from a struggling boat in the Caribbean Sea on Sunday, the cruise line confirmed, marking the latest in a string of at-sea rescues by cruise ships this month.
The Regal Princess was en route from Galveston, Texas, to Cozumel, Mexico, when crew members spotted a small vessel in distress on Feb. 23. Princess Cruises said in emailed statements to media outlets that the ship "responded to a small vessel in distress and safely rescued four individuals at sea."
A spokesperson for Princess Cruises did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
"All four individuals were brought onboard and were evaluated by the ship's medical team," the cruise line said. "Their safety and well-being remain our immediate priority."
Princess Cruises did not identify the rescued individuals or elaborate on what led to the boat’s distress. The company noted that, under international maritime law, people rescued at sea are cared for aboard the responding ship and brought to its next scheduled port.
"Consistent with international maritime obligations, individuals rescued at sea are cared for onboard and transported to the ship's next scheduled port stop, where they are received by the appropriate local authorities and support services," the cruise line said.
The company also praised its own crew, extending "its sincere appreciation to the Captain, and crew of Regal Princess for their swift response, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to safety."
The incident aboard the Regal Princess was not an isolated event. Cruise ships operating in the Western Caribbean have carried out at least two other rescues in February alone.
The U.S. Coast Guard was notified and provided guidance during that operation. Carnival did not disclose the identities of those rescued or what caused their distress.
Altogether, the three rescues brought a combined 15 people to safety across three separate cruise ships in the span of roughly one week.