Disney Cruise Ship Saves 4 From Sinking Catamaran In Bermuda

In a display of real-life heroism, a Disney Cruise Line ship came to the rescue of four stranded passengers off the coast of Bermuda on Sunday, November 10, saving them from a sinking catamaran.

The 50-foot vessel, named Serenity, encountered an unexpected emergency when a gasket failure in the escape hatch caused it to take on water. This left the vessel—and its four passengers—in peril, approximately 230 miles off Bermuda’s coast.

The Disney Treasure, Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, was the closest available vessel, positioned about 80 miles away at the time.

In a swift response to the call for assistance, the Disney Treasure, which was on a journey from Eemshaven, Netherlands, to Port Canaveral, Florida, launched one of its smaller rescue boats and reached the Serenity, bringing all four passengers aboard safely.

Fortunately, no medical issues were reported among the rescued individuals.

A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson confirmed the rescue details, noting the speed and coordination involved in reaching the stranded passengers. Following the distress call, the Coast Guard had broadcasted an alert, and Disney Treasure’s crew didn’t hesitate to spring into action.

"We are pleased that the Disney Treasure was able to provide aid to the boat passengers in peril. Our crew members worked together on the rescue, skillfully demonstrating their training and commitment to safety," Disney Treasure Captain Marco Nogara said in a statement to ABC.

This is not the first time a Disney Cruise ship has stopped to help others in need.

On the evening of May 7, 2024, passengers aboard the Disney Dream witnessed an unexpected incident when the ship encountered a capsized boat southeast of Bermuda. Passenger Jose Carreon shared that an announcement over the loudspeaker informed everyone on board that the ship would be turning around to investigate the overturned vessel.

The Disney Dream stopped for about 30 minutes as the crew assessed the scene. Kevin O'Connor, whose parents were among the passengers, told The Blast that the ship "pulled alongside the capsized boat and began searching for any signs of life."

After finding no indication of survivors, the ship’s captain contacted local authorities before continuing on its scheduled route.

Another passenger, Lacey Harris, shared with The Blast that the crew announced that they "spotted lights and a capsized catamaran off the starboard side and would be pausing to investigate."

"They searched the water and wreckage, but no one was found," she exclusively told The Blast. "After they realized no one would be found, the Captain came back [over the loudspeaker] and announced they would be continuing on to Ponta Delgada and thanked us for our patience."

In a similar event in 2016, three individuals were found clinging to a capsized boat roughly 40 miles north of Varadero, Cuba.

According to ABC, U.S. Marshal Amos Rojas Jr. of the Southern District of Florida reported that the trio was rescued by a Disney Cruise Line ship and subsequently handed over to the U.S. Coast Guard. During a fingerprint analysis, authorities discovered that two of the rescued individuals had outstanding arrest warrants in New Orleans.

"I think it was evident from the law enforcement standpoint that they were fleeing the U.S. to avoid federal and state charges," Barry Golden, Senior Inspector with the U.S. Marshals Service, told ABC News at the time. "Cuba is somewhat a safe place for fugitives to hide."

It was further revealed that all three men had multiple prior arrests for credit card fraud.

In January 2023, the Disney Dream cruise ship carried out a rescue operation near the coast of Cuba after spotting a 29-year-old Cuban man struggling in the water. The ship diverted course and launched a tender boat to bring the individual aboard safely. Following the rescue, the Disney Dream coordinated with the Cuban Coast Guard, who later transported the man back to the mainland.

Disney Cruise Line operates a fleet of five ships—the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. These ships offer a range of itineraries to diverse destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, the Bahamas, and beyond.

Disney's newest ship, the Disney Treasure, is set to have her maiden voyage on December 21–28, 2024