Celebrity Solstice at this moment

[RaeBay]

HELICOPTER FLYING TO AIRLIFT ILL CREW MEMBER FROM CRUISE SHIP (Off Arnhem Land)

Darwin’s CareFlight helicopter is flying a long-range mission to airlift an ill crew member from a luxury cruise ship off the remote coast of Arnhem Land in northern Australia.

The helicopter has taken off from Darwin in response to a request from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The cruise ship Celebrity Solstice is currently some 500 km north-east of Darwin, about 100 km off the nearest town of Maningrida.

The helicopter, carrying a CareFlight flight nurse and doctor, will fly the 370 km from Darwin then refuel in Maningrida before flying 100 km out to sea to reach the ship.

At this stage CareFlight estimate reaching the ship at around 12.30 pm.

The Celebrity Solstice left Darwin yesterday on a two-day cruise to the next scheduled port of Cairns in north Queensland.

The 328 metre long ship has a helipad on the bow and the helicopter is equipped with a rescue hoist.

[Christine Frances]

Our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery go out to this unfortunate crew member. And our appreciation, once again, goes out to the Medical and SAR teams all over the world who always come when needed.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[K-Roo-Zers]

We, too, also wish the crew member a speedy recovery.

 

Our special thoughts and wishes are with you.

 

Nicki and Nigel

[TLCOhio]

Yes, speedy recovery. We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, going from Australia to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011.

 

Glad to know the Aussie are well equipped to do such helicopter flights and service. Will sleep better on the ship knowing about this level of emergency service/connection.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 120,664 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[NSWP]

Solstice is on a 17 day cruise, Fremantle to Sydney, last port was Darwin, next port - Yorkeys Knob, Cairns. Wish the crew member well.

[uktog]

On board just now, there is no further news than the crew member is critical. Helicopter and a guide plane arrived about 1300 the evacuation was completed by 1330, the rumour is it was a heart attack but we know no more. Large areas of the ship including the Sky lounge were shutoff to avoid onlookers

Captain will advise us in the morning impact on arrival in Cairns the day after tomorrow but it was a 7 hour deviation started at 0830 this morning

We are all thinking about the crew member and their family

[RaeBay]

A 22-year-old man has been choppered off a luxury cruise ship off the coast of Arnhem Land.

 

The CareFlight helicopter flew to the Celebrity Solstice - 500km north east of Darwin - about 12.30pm today.

 

The man has reportedly suffered a "cardiac problem". A nurse and doctor rushed out this morning after an alert from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

[NSWP]

On board just now, there is no further news than the crew member is critical. Helicopter and a guide plane arrived about 1300 the evacuation was completed by 1330, the rumour is it was a heart attack but we know no more. Large areas of the ship including the Sky lounge were shutoff to avoid onlookers

Captain will advise us in the morning impact on arrival in Cairns the day after tomorrow but it was a 7 hour deviation started at 0830 this morning

We are all thinking about the crew member and their family

Thanks for the 'live' from Solstice Uktog. Yes, best wishes to the crew person. Safe journey to Sydney. We board on 4 March.

[Jacs]

Yes, speedy recovery. We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, going from Australia to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011.

 

Glad to know the Aussie are well equipped to do such helicopter flights and service. Will sleep better on the ship knowing about this level of emergency service/connection.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 120,664 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

Well we aren't exactly a 3rd world country Terry ;) living on the worlds largest island means our rescue services are well adept at sea rescues, and remote area rescues. Sleep well knowing that some of the worlds best rescue services availible should you come to any grief on your visit.

 

Wishing a speedy recovery to the Solstice crew member, thoughts are with you.

[excitedofharpenden]

Shared from a friend who is on Solstice at the moment. Arnhem Land is indeed remote, but I have faith in Australia and the infrastructure there. I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. LOL What about the Flying Doctors? I've been to Kakadu nearby. One of the most amazing places I have ever been to:

 

 

 

Phil

[TLCOhio]

Well we aren't exactly a 3rd world country Terry ;) living on the worlds largest island means our rescue services are well adept at sea rescues, and remote area rescues. Sleep well knowing that some of the worlds best rescue services availible should you come to any grief on your visit.

 

excitedofharpenden: A couple of photos..... Shared from a friend who is on Solstice at the moment. Arnhem Land is indeed remote' date=' but I have faith in Australia and the infrastructure there. I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. LOL What about the Flying Doctors? I've been to Kakadu nearby. One of the most amazing places I have ever been to: [/quote']

 

Nope, never thought of Australia as a third-world country. Just know it is a big, big area and that it is hard to serve some more distant, isolated regions. That is challenging to reach such locations, especially off shore that way. Really appreciate the pictures from Phil. Nice to see these visuals from a ship we've been on and will be using again in the future.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 120,749 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[cruiseacecat]

So sorry to hear this. Sending very best wishes for the crew member and family.

 

Anne

[uktog]

The Captain has just announced the crew member was flown to a specialist unit in Darwin, he had suffered a heart attack but is now stable in ICU and the doctors are happier with the situation

So glad to hear this complex long medivac has had a good outcome so far

[TLCOhio]

The Captain has just announced the crew member was flown to a specialist unit in Darwin, he had suffered a heart attack but is now stable in ICU and the doctors are happier with the situation. So glad to hear this complex long medivac has had a good outcome so far

 

Great update and excellent news. Appreciate you keeping us posted and taking care of "our" Solstice as we prepare for our Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014 sailing on here from Sydney to Auckland. Look forward to reading more on your cruise, the ship, etc.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 120,749 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[Flipper133]

I posted on the Aust/NZ Forum...juts back home after our Solstice Cruise

 

Here are some links to some video I was able to get.

 

1. This us from Mid ships Elevator lobby on Deck 14:

 

2. This is from the Bridge Cam broadcast in stateroom cabins:

 

3. Also from Bridge Cam:

 

Pretty dramatic stuff

 

cheers

[gelo7]

Shared from a friend who is on Solstice at the moment. Arnhem Land is indeed remote, but I have faith in Australia and the infrastructure there. I certainly wouldn't lose any sleep over it. LOL What about the Flying Doctors? I've been to Kakadu nearby. One of the most amazing places I have ever been to:

 

 

 

Phil

 

Wow, thanks for sharing.

[FortyNinerLiz]

Yes, speedy recovery. We are looking forward to our first “down under” visit, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Celebrity Solstice sailing, departing Sydney, going from Australia to Auckland/NZ doing 14 days on this ship we loved in the Med in June 2011.

 

Glad to know the Aussie are well equipped to do such helicopter flights and service. Will sleep better on the ship knowing about this level of emergency service/connection.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 120,664 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

We are on the same cruise!!!

[MicCanberra]

I am glad that the crew member has made it safely and is now stable.:D I would hate to see the bill,:eek: hope they have insurance or I hope that the X or the ship will cover the expense.:D

[chamima]

I posted on the Aust/NZ Forum...juts back home after our Solstice Cruise

 

Here are some links to some video I was able to get.

 

1. This us from Mid ships Elevator lobby on Deck 14:

 

2. This is from the Bridge Cam broadcast in stateroom cabins:

 

3. Also from Bridge Cam:

 

Pretty dramatic stuff

 

cheers

 

John

Good video.

I also happened to go back to the cabin during the evac and realized I could see everything happening from the Bridge Cam.

We missed the 4 crew members (in rain coats) leaving the helicopter and wondered if they took all of those people we saw going out. Your video clarified it.

Thanks!

And thanks again for all of the work setting up our Brisbane tour! Wish Mother Nature had cooperated.

We're home after our 22 hours of flying but I'm still rocking and rolling from the ship. I must be the only person who has to take motion sickness meds after a cruise! :o :p

[drann4]

Terry, If we take this overnight excursion, where and how do we re boards the Solstice??

Annie

[drarill]

The Captain has just announced the crew member was flown to a specialist unit in Darwin, he had suffered a heart attack but is now stable in ICU and the doctors are happier with the situation

So glad to hear this complex long medivac has had a good outcome so far

 

Thanks for the update, really glad the crew member is now stable.

Phil: thanks for sharing the pictures.

[cruisestitch]

All should realize that this incident took place months ago and the thread was re-opened.