Canadian Authorities Remove Disney Cruise Line Cast Member From Ship via Helicopter
A Disney Cruise Line cast member needed emergency evacuation from the Disney Wonder while the ship was still sailing, prompting Canadian rescue crews to intervene mid-voyage.
Rescue Crews Respond Near Vancouver Island
Chek News reported that the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron was called out to the Disney Wonder in the early morning hours of Tuesday, September 8. Two aircraft, a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and a CC-295 Kingfisher airplane, responded to the ship’s location near the Northern tip of Vancouver Island.
Footage shared by Chek News shows the CH-149 Cormorant helicopter hovering directly above the ship’s deck, allowing two emergency technicians to board the Disney Wonder before ultimately lifting the patient into the helicopter for evacuation. Meanwhile, the CC-295 Kingfisher airplane worked with the ship’s captain to help coordinate the rescue ahead of the helicopter’s arrival.
Cruise Hive later confirmed that the individual removed from the ship was a Disney Cruise Line cast member, not a guest, though the specifics of the employee’s medical emergency have not been disclosed by any outlet. The Disney cast member was transported to a hospital in Canada following the evacuation.
Radio exchanges captured during the operation reflected the cooperation between the ship and the rescue team.
“Disney Wonder, from Rescue 915, thanks for your help, you can resume your speed,” the rescue crew radioed once the evacuation was complete. The Disney Wonder crew responded, “Thank you very much for your help, much appreciated.”
Disney Cruise Line Voyage Continued
This emergency unfolded just one day into the Disney Wonder’s seven-day sailing between Vancouver, Canada, and Alaska. Despite the mid-sea evacuation, the rest of the voyage proceeded as planned without further interruption. The ship’s following scheduled sailing also departed on time on Monday, September 14.
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