The Azamara-Journey: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On January 24, 2023, a medical emergency unfolded aboard the 'Azamara Journey' as the ship was en route from Durban to Cape Town. After it had already passed Algoa Bay, the vessel had to turn back to Port Elizabeth when an elderly British passenger fell seriously ill. The crew contacted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at 1:30 a.m., prompting the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to mobilize. To address the urgent situation, the lifeboat 'Spirit of Toft' was dispatched along with emergency medical services (EMS) rescue paramedics. They made contact with the cruise ship approximately 12 to 15 nautical miles offshore, battling 45-knot winds and challenging sea conditions. Upon boarding the 'Azamara Journey,' the NSRI rescue swimmers and an EMS paramedic found the 87-year-old passenger had already received initial stabilization care from the ship's medical team. Coordinating a high-angle technical rescue, they carefully placed her into a Stokes basket stretcher. The patient was then transferred to the lifeboat, which made its way back to the NSRI Gqeberha station. Arriving at around 6 a.m., she was quickly transferred into an EMS ambulance and taken to the hospital in a serious but stable condition. Notably, she was without family or friends during this ordeal, highlighting the swift and efficient actions of the rescue teams involved.

On November 9, 2022, the Central Port Authority of Rhodes received a critical alert regarding a 72-year-old passenger aboard the 'Azamara Journey'. The cruise ship was navigating 51 nautical miles southeast of Rhodes, making its journey from Piraeus to Limassol when the need for urgent medical assistance arose. Promptly responding to the situation, a patrol boat was dispatched to the vessel to facilitate the evacuation of the ailing passenger. After the successful transfer, the patient was swiftly brought to the port of Rhodes, where an ambulance awaited to transport them to the General Hospital of Rhodes for further medical care. This quick action ensured the necessary treatment for the passenger in need.

An investigation has been initiated by the Patmos Port Authority following the tragic sinking of the assistance tug 'Pothitos III' on October 21 at approximately 6:40 AM. The incident occurred while the tug was providing support to the inbound cruise ship 'Azamara Journey' in a bay located east of Patmos. Eye-witness accounts suggest that the cruise ship unexpectedly pulled the tug as it maneuvered into the port, though the exact details of the incident have yet to be confirmed. In a desperate attempt to escape, a 26-year-old deckhand abandoned the tug and was subsequently rescued by a launch from the 'Azamara Journey', returning safely to shore. Tragically, the tug's skipper, a 45-year-old man, was later found unresponsive inside the wreckage by a team of private divers. Despite immediate transport to a nearby health center, he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The local port authority has since requested an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Fortunately, the wreck of the tug is situated in deep water, ensuring that it won't obstruct maritime navigation. The 'Azamara Journey', which regularly visits popular destinations such as Patmos, Mykonos, and Rhodes in the Greek Isles, continued its journey later that evening, departing for Santorini.