Pam in CA Posted January 17, 2010 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'm currently on the Coral Princess, sailing from Cartegena. At about 3pm ET, Captain Roger Bilton announced on the PA that he had been advised that a ship had sunk or was sinking with 14-16 people in the water about 50 miles off shore. We are sailing at full speed due north to assist in the rescue. There are two other ships on their way, one of which is closer. I believe it's a tanker. We should arrive on scene at about 5pm ET. That's all I know right now but I plan to be on deck in about 30 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 17, 2010 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'm currently on the Coral Princess, sailing from Cartegena. At about 3pm ET, Captain Roger Bilton announced on the PA that he had been advised that a ship had sunk or was sinking with 14-16 people in the water about 50 miles off shore. We are sailing at full speed due north to assist in the rescue. There are two other ships on their way, one of which is closer. I believe it's a tanker. We should arrive on scene at about 5pm ET. That's all I know right now but I plan to be on deck in about 30 minutes. Where at Pam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pia1913 Posted January 17, 2010 #3 Share Posted January 17, 2010 I'm currently on the Coral Princess, sailing from Cartegena. At about 3pm ET, Captain Roger Bilton announced on the PA that he had been advised that a ship had sunk or was sinking with 14-16 people in the water about 50 miles off shore. We are sailing at full speed due north to assist in the rescue. There are two other ships on their way, one of which is closer. I believe it's a tanker. We should arrive on scene at about 5pm ET. That's all I know right now but I plan to be on deck in about 30 minutes. WOW! Please keep us informed Pam. You are better than CNN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted January 17, 2010 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Yes, keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shogun Posted January 17, 2010 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Hi Pam, Still one of the nice things about being at sea is that all ships will come to the aid of another, regardless of cost, size etc. Enjoy your cruise yours Shogun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YoPhilly Posted January 17, 2010 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Pam, keep us posted. I couldn't find anything in the news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toto2Kansas Posted January 17, 2010 #7 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Thanks for alerting us Pam, Best of luck, I hope you got there in time to assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1025cruise Posted January 17, 2010 #8 Share Posted January 17, 2010 The sad part, someone will complain that their cruise was ruined because the ship had to change course to go assist.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 17, 2010 #9 Share Posted January 17, 2010 Thanks for the news. Keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie MeMe Posted January 18, 2010 #10 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hi Pam Hope your cruise is as much fun as you expected. Would like to know how the rescue is going. Best of travels. bt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted January 18, 2010 Author #11 Share Posted January 18, 2010 We arrived on the scene at about 5:15pm. The Captain announced that it was a fishing vessel, the Calypso (probably a tuna fisher) that had sunk at 2am the night before and three crew members had been rescued. We joined several ships and Colombian search & rescue until about 6:30pm when it got too dark to search. The vessels were released from the search then; the Colombian air search would continue with heat technology. We are now on our way to Aruba and are expected to arrive more or less on time. Unfortunately, the missing fishing vessel crew are probably lost. :( There are probably 12 - 13 still missing. That's a long time to be in the water. I went to the front of deck 10 from about 4:30pm until 5:30pm. There were a few others there and man, were we going fast! Those of us on deck were almost plastered against the bulkhead until the ship slowed down and changed course. I don't think the stabilizers were out because we were bouncing all over the place. We did see some debris but have no idea of that was from the fishing boat. There were about 4 or 5 ships doing a search pattern. I think Captain Bilton is absolutely awesome. He kept us up-to-date and informed about everything that was going on. And, he apologized for the "inconvenience." I've got some photos of the ships searching and the officers on the bridge on the lookout which I'll post when I get home. Cruise has been great. Sunny every single day; no rain (yet.) Excursion Desk sucks (more later on that.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 18, 2010 #12 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I hope the rest of the cruise is not as exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billet Posted January 18, 2010 #13 Share Posted January 18, 2010 The stablisers would not be deployed since they take about 1.5kts of the top speed. I am sorry to hear about that poor crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clutterlady Posted January 18, 2010 #14 Share Posted January 18, 2010 So sad to hear all may be lost. How unfortunate and sad. Thanks Pam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bplazo Posted January 18, 2010 #15 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hopefully they will find some more of the crew members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colo Cruiser Posted January 18, 2010 #16 Share Posted January 18, 2010 You are right thats a long time in the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Oregonians Posted January 18, 2010 #17 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Pam, I was just looking at all the cruises you have taken, and all that are coming up soon. I have to say, I'm jealous that you have the opportunity to travel so much! That's my dream!! How are you so fortunate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrysalis Posted January 18, 2010 #18 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Wow...another search and rescue operation for the Coral off of Cartagena. We were aboard her when the crew member was lost overboard in late November. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted January 18, 2010 Author #19 Share Posted January 18, 2010 The official response from Princess (via Alan Wilson of Cruise News Daily): The fishing vessel Calypso was reported to have sunk some 52 miles NNW of Cartagena with 18 souls on board. Coral Princess reached the scene at 1645 and commenced a search pattern with three other ships and a Colombian military SAR aircraft. A fourth ship had rescued three of the crew and was ordered to return to Barranquilla. At 1815 it was dark and Cartagena Port Control released all ships from the search. A fishing buoy, some barrels and an empty swamped inflatable boat were observed; however no other persons were found by Coral Princess or the other ships. Coral Princess has now reverted back on passage towards Aruba and is not anticipated there will be any delay to her arrival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted January 18, 2010 #20 Share Posted January 18, 2010 A rather eventful day. Sorry it was not a successful search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam in CA Posted January 18, 2010 Author #21 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Pam, I was just looking at all the cruises you have taken, and all that are coming up soon. I have to say, I'm jealous that you have the opportunity to travel so much! That's my dream!! How are you so fortunate?The old fashioned way. I worked hard at two full-time jobs concurrently and now I get to play. I am very fortunate but as my Mom said, "You make your own luck." Which I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oi Posted January 18, 2010 #22 Share Posted January 18, 2010 The old fashioned way. I worked hard at two full-time jobs concurrently and now I get to play. I am very fortunate but as my Mom said, "You make your own luck." Which I did. Pam, First, we are sorry the search was not as successful. It is a sad loss. we were hoping for a happier ending. Second, I love your statement. You deserve your travels...enjoy...enjoy! So happy that your hard work paid off. My DH and I are hoping ours does too. (we are also old fashioned) :-) enjoy the rest of your trip. Happy cruising, happy life... :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gertz Posted January 18, 2010 #23 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Thank you Pam and God Bless the missing crew members. Jack and Nora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gertz Posted January 18, 2010 #24 Share Posted January 18, 2010 The old fashioned way. I worked hard at two full-time jobs concurrently and now I get to play. I am very fortunate but as my Mom said, "You make your own luck." Which I did. Here, Here.:D Hard work never hurt anyone MO.:eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggprincess2004 Posted January 18, 2010 #25 Share Posted January 18, 2010 I must say, we had the pleasure of sailing with Capt Bilton on the Coral the other year, and found him to be extraordinary. He dazzled us with a WOW factor, and gave us an experience we will never forget. So Pam, yes, I do believe your praise of the capt is totally warranted!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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