We were supposed to stop in Catania, Sicily this morning. The captain announced at 7am that we would instead have a day at sea. Last night around midnight the Italian coast guard received an SOS from the migrant boat that they were drifting at sea. We were the closest passenger ship so the captain responded to the call. Along with a cargo vessel, the Breakaway provided support to the 2 Italian coast guards boats to get the 200 migrants safely onboard with the coast guard. We to the 4 hour delay we were not able to call on Catania.
Although I am disappointed to miss Catalina, I am grateful that 200 souls were saved. For me it is just a stop along they way…for them it was their lives.