27 people rescued by three different Amver ships

The crew of the Desert Hope helps survivors aboard.

Three different Amver rescues unfolded in the Caribbean this weekend resulting in 27 lives saved. The cruise ships Disney Wonder and Carnival Conquest rescued a combined 21 Cuban migrants from disabled boats while the bulk ship Desert Hope rescued 6 people from another disabled boat.

Disney Wonder

The first case on Friday, April 11, 2013 involved 8 Cuban migrants in a rustic 15 foot boat dead in the water approximately 8 miles north of Mariel Harbor, Cuba. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft located the boat and helped the cruise ship Disney Wonder find the location and embark the 8 survivors.

The Disney Wonder enrolled in the Amver system on July 26, 1999. The Bahamian flagged cruise ship will receive its 14th Amver participation award at a ceremony in Washington, DC next month.

Carnival Conquest

The second case unfolded the following day when the Carnival Conquest located a group of people on a disabled raft waving a white flag approximately 30 miles southwest of Marquesas Key. The cruise ship embarked 13 survivors and coordinated with the Coast Guard to rendezvous with the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence to transfer the migrants.

Carnival Conquest enrolled in the Amver system on October 28, 2002. The Panamanian flagged cruise ship will receive its 7th Amver participation award at a ceremony in Washington, DC next month.

Desert Hope

The final case involved a search for a disabled rustic boat in the vicinity of Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic. The Amver participating ship Desert Hope was also diverted to assist and found the vessel. While maneuvering to perform a rescue of the survivors, the crew lowered a ladder. Six survivors were taken aboard the Marshall Island flagged ship in good health.

The Desert Hope enrolled in the Amver system on September 16, 2011. The ship, managed by Atlantic Bulk Carriers Management of Athens, Greece, will receive its first Amver participation award this fall at a ceremony sponsored by the Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus.

Photo credit: USCG