Working Conditions Aboard the Aidamar

In a remarkable twist to a mandatory safety inspection, the cruise ship 'Aidamar' embarked on a one-of-a-kind travel experience as it entered the dry dock at the Damen Verolme shipyard in Rotterdam on July 5, 2026, with passengers still aboard. This unprecedented event marked the first time the shipyard had conducted a dry-docking operation with guests present. Scheduled for approximately 20 hours, the stay included a critical two-hour inspection of the vessel's underwater structure. Prior to this, 'Aidamar' had undergone a thorough assessment by the classification society DNV in Hamburg on April 15. However, the absence of available dry docks in Hamburg necessitated a swift relocation for the visual inspection. Since regulatory compliance requires a dry dock for the review, this urgent inspection could not wait for the ship's planned major refit in Marseille this November as part of the cruise line’s 'Evolution' program. As a result, the next open dry dock was identified at the Damen Verolme shipyard, which boasts three extensive dry docks in the Botlek port area. This unique situation turned a routine procedure into an unforgettable adventure for those onboard.

On December 18, a tragic incident unfolded in Baiona when an 85-year-old German woman, part of the cruise ship 'AidaMar' anchored in the port of Vigo, lost her life after being swept away by powerful waves. While she was on a shore excursion, the woman ventured alone to a rocky area near A Concheira beach to capture photographs. At approximately 2:35 p.m., a massive wave overpowered her and pulled her into the sea. A nearby local witnessed the horrifying event and promptly alerted emergency services in Galicia. Unfortunately, despite their quick response, they were unable to save her. The sea later returned her lifeless body to land. At the time of the incident, the Galician coast was under an official orange weather warning, with wind gusts reaching 70 km/h and wave heights up to seven meters.

On December 9, 2023, during its inaugural transatlantic voyage from Basseterre to Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the cruise ship 'AIDAmar' experienced a serious medical emergency that necessitated an urgent course change. Transporting passengers across the Atlantic for six days, the ship found it essential to revert back towards the Caribbean at high speed as the medical condition of a passenger deteriorated. The ship’s medical team, in close coordination with the command crew, decided that the patient required immediate medical evacuation by helicopter. As 'AIDAmar' approached the designated medevac area, outer decks were securely closed to ensure the safety of the ongoing operations. Following the successful evacuation, 'AIDAmar' promptly resumed its journey, readjusting its speed to compensate for the detour. It is now expected to reach Santa Cruz de Tenerife on December 15, 2023, with an estimated time of arrival at 11:30 a.m. This medical incident occurred on the third-to-last leg of the ship's journey, which will continue through Vigo and Cherbourg in France before docking back in Hamburg just before the festive Christmas season.

On January 12, 2025, a distress call from the cruise ship 'AIDAmar' led to the urgent medevac of a 61-year-old woman suffering from a lung infection. At the time of the incident, the vessel was located approximately 280 kilometers southwest of El Hierro. The ship's captain promptly reported the situation to Salvamento Marítimo, who quickly rallied the Canary Islands' air rescue coordination center. Responding swiftly, an HD 21 Super Puma helicopter, based in Gran Canaria, was dispatched to carry out the airlift. Additionally, a D4 VIGMA aircraft was deployed to provide critical wind data for the helicopter's safe operation. The helicopter successfully hoisted the patient aboard and transported her to a hospital for immediate medical attention. For more details, check out the video coverage: https://x.com/i/status/1878765213627166745.

On March 24, 2024, the 'Aidamar' embarked on a transatlantic journey from Antigua but was compelled to reverse course just two days later due to a medical emergency aboard. By approximately 2 p.m. on March 27, the vessel arrived near Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, conveniently positioned for a helicopter rescue operation. The patient was successfully airlifted for urgent medical attention. Following the incident, the 'Aidamar' continued its voyage eastward toward the Azores, albeit now facing a delay of approximately two days. The cruise liner's next planned stop is Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel, scheduled for April 1. However, this adjustment means that the intended stop in Praia da Vitória on Terceira, slated for March 31, has been cancelled. Upon reaching Ponta Delgada, the 'Aidamar' is set to resume its original itinerary.

On the morning of November 23, 2023, the cruise ship 'Aidamar' made a critical request for a medical evacuation approximately 12 nautical miles southeast of Santa Cruz de La Palma. The vessel was en route from Santa Cruz to San Sebastián de La Gomera when a passenger developed pneumonia and was under the care of an onboard physician. Responding promptly, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) of Salvamento Marítimo in Tenerife dispatched the SAR boat 'Salvamar Alphard' to assist. The rescue team successfully transported the ailing patient back to the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma, where an ambulance was on standby to convey him to a local hospital for further medical attention.