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Australia’s resident Sun Princess in rescue operation off Vanuatu

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Sun Princess crew rescuing people from their stricken boat
Five people, including family members of a senior Vanuatu government minister, were rescued when Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess went to the aid of a stricken vessel adrift at sea for 48 hours.

Sun Princess successfully completed the search and rescue operation to the west of Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu.

The rescue mission was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Noumea.

Sun Princess was approximately 115 nautical miles from the stranded vessel’s estimated position. She diverted from her course to Champagne Bay and during the night located the boat with the five on board.

They were taken on board and examined by the ship’s medical staff and the ship resumed its scheduled passage to Champagne Bay.

The ship hosted Vanuatu government officials in Vila yesterday when the captain and crew were thanked for their role in the rescue.

‘We’re pleased that we were able to assist in this successful search and rescue operation and we are relieved that all five passengers are recovering from their experience,’ Stuart Allison, Princess Cruises' vp Australia and New Zealand, said.

‘It must have been a huge relief for the five people on board the stranded boat to see a big white cruise ship appear on the scene when they were in such need,’ Allison said.

‘We are very pleased that we could play a role in achieving such a positive outcome.'