Getaway Now

I'm sure someone is home watching the getaway leave Miami and wondering what's up...so yes indeed, we are sitting in the Atlantic after doing a 180 back towards miami after getting a few miles out. A miami fire rescue boat just showed up but seems to be hesitant to dock with us...not sure why.

We now have a police or medivac chopper circling the ship.

According to the radio traffic on the Port Miami Webcam you have a patient onboard requiring emergency rescue immediately. Captain is in communication with dispatch, chopper will be performing rescue from the bow momentarily.

How truly sad.

Other passengers are reporting a gentleman shook violently, vomited and lost control of his functions: it is a little breezy so I'm not sure if it is more dangerous for the chopper to land or rescue ship to dock...

Copter just tethered a rescue worker from a few hundred feet in the air to the bow. I did get video...the guy was swinging quite a bit and I was afraid for him watching it. There's probably 300 people watching. Nothing about clearing the decks. They just put out a windsock I guess they may still be trying to land the copter.....

They just made a second attempt and this time dropped a gurney. I hope the gentleman is ok in the end

They are proceeding with the air rescue momentarily. Moving the fireboat for a visual reference right now. Thoughts and prayers for the ill passenger.

Copter just tethered a rescue worker from a few hundred feet in the air to the bow. I did get video...the guy was swinging quite a bit and I was afraid for him watching it. There's probably 300 people watching. Nothing about clearing the decks. They just put out a windsock I guess they may still be trying to land the copter.....

They never land always a basket lift.

Successfully extracted the patient. Godspeed!

Fireboat will be picking up a family member, and patient is en route to nearby hospital now. Thoughts and prayers for all. Getaway is now turning to port to block the waves, to ensure a smooth transition for the family member.

Thoughts going out to all.

Thanks for the report. We are on Reflection right behind you and wondered what was happening.

I hope he will be okay what a terrible way to start a vacation

While I hope the family is ok this is pretty exciting!! Such drama. I would love to watch this happen.

Well wishes for the family. Rescues like these are pretty scary.

I watched one last year when Gem turned around and came back to NY Harbor. Weather was pretty windy and water was very rough. Took about an hour to get ill pax transferred to the fire dept boat.

P.S. Looks like transfer was made for family member and ship is doing over 17kn.

~Robin

Every Day at Sea is a Great Day

2014 July Breakaway

Yes, I was watching the departure online as I listened to the port of miami vhf radio online too. The ship's captain called in a medical emergency. They seemed to contemplate a medivac of the patient. I wondered if this occurred as the sail away party got started. I hope that the person is doing well. What a sad way to start of their cruise, especially minutes after departure.

They never land always a basket lift.

Not true. Our last night at sea on Navigator of the Seas in February of 2011, there was a lady who had a heart attack, and it took them a couple tries, but the coast guard did indeed land on the helipad on the front of the ship. It was neat to see, but not so for the family of the lady.

We have seen helicopter land on the Epic the first year it set sail... We were out at sea other then the circumstances it was pretty cool.

We have seen helicopter land on the Epic the first year it set sail... We were out at sea other then the circumstances it was pretty cool.

Where did it land? Epic doesn't have a helipad. I saw a medivac on Epic as well, and they didn't land. Epic's sports court was dismantled to provide a clear area for the basket to be lowered. I'd be surprised to learn that the deck has been reinforced to handle the weight of a helicopter.

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Look on the webcam of the Getaway and Breakaway and you will see the area in the front of the ship says winch only. I am guessing that means that area is not strong enough for a helicopter to land.

Thank you for keeping us informed yesterday as to what was happening, very much appreciated. I was watching the webcam & heard the fireboat siren, but wasn't sure at first which ship had an issue as the Reflection left right behind her. The Getaway's Facebook page has people reporting that the gentleman had passed away during sailaway, & that a body was airlifted off the ship. Since you did not say anything about his having passed away, I'm assuming that didn't happen or you would've told us. Have you heard anything else as to whether or not that's true? Being that you're actually on the ship, I'm taking your word over those who've "heard" whatever it is they've posted on Facebook!

Honestly, I had also heard he passed away in the last couple days, but also that he was alive. Could not see well enough if the basket had medical equipment attached. Etc. Horrible situation.