Two crew members of Norwegian Escape were medevaced from the cruise ship on Monday evening, November 26, having sustained second-degree burns while the vessel was approximately 24 miles southeast of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
“A crew member aboard the cruise ship contacted watchstanders at the Fifth District command center at 3:50 p.m. and reported that the two Filipino crewmen, 25 and 26 years of age, suffered the burns due to an accident in the engine room and needed medical attention,” the US Coast Guard informed.
Jayhawk MH-60 helicopter crew was dispatched to the scene to assist. Once on scene, the aircrew hoisted up the two men, accompanied by a doctor, and transported them to the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport in Nash County, North Carolina, to meet awaiting emergency medical service.
“Our crews train for a wide range of situations, so when we are contacted we are prepared to get people the help they need in a timely fashion,” said Thomas A. Botzenhart, Fifth District search and rescue coordinator.
Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the incident to World Maritime News saying that two crew members were injured in an accident on board Norwegian Escape.
“The ship’s medical team immediately provided care and notified the U.S. Coast Guard. After evaluation, they were taken to a hospital in North Carolina for further care. Our thoughts are with our crew members and we wish them a speedy recovery. The ship will continue its scheduled itinerary,” spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement.