A 13-month-old girl had to be evacuated from a Disney Cruise Line vessel earlier this week after experiencing a medical emergency, rescue officials say., contacted a Coast Guard station at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday to request medevac assistance for the child, who suffered an emergency as the cruise liner was approximately 34 miles northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which released images and video from the operation via its website yesterday, confirmed a boat crew was launched to rendezvous with theThe crew were able to board the cruise liner and evacuate the child, her parents and a cruise ship doctor. They were transported to land, where they were met by paramedics and taken by ambulance to the Centro Medico Hospital, Puerto Rico.
"We realized this was a time sensitive case, and that we needed to help this child get to a higher level of medical care as soon as possible," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos A. Garay, who was a crewmember for the medevac on board the 45-foot response boat. Garay added:"The excellent coordination and collaboration between our boat crew, Sector San Juan watchstanders and theas well as the cruise ship's side ramp technology, allowed for a smooth approach that led to a rapid and safe medevac. Our crew is very glad to have helped this child and her parents, we wish her a prompt recovery."
Disney Cruise Line has been contacted for comment. No identities have been released by the company or rescue professionals. The firm's website lists four ships: the