Mardi Gras Captain and Team Honoured for Heroic Sea Rescue Saving16 lives

Captain Niccolo De Ranieri and his dedicated team aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras ship have been commended by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) for their courageous actions in saving the lives of 16 individuals. The Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award was bestowed upon Captain De Ranieri at the AFRAS annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., where heroism at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard, merchant mariners, and cruise ship personnel is celebrated.

In June 2022, while returning to Port Canaveral in Florida, Captain De Ranieri and his crew spotted a distressed vessel carrying eleven men and five women amidst rough seas near Cuba. Despite facing challenging conditions, including navigating away from an approaching hurricane, the Mardi Gras team successfully rescued the 16 stranded individuals. Upon boarding the ship, they were promptly evaluated by the onboard medical staff and provided with essential provisions and clothing, before a safe transfer with the U.S. Coast Guard was organised.

Expressing his gratitude, Captain De Ranieri stated, “Receiving this award serves as a poignant reminder of the profound responsibility we bear as mariners. I am immensely proud of my team’s courageous and well-coordinated efforts during this rescue operation. It is indeed an honour to be acknowledged, and I am thankful that those 16 individuals were brought to safety.”

In the subsequent year, Carnival teams completed six additional rescue missions, aiding in the safe retrieval of 57 stranded individuals, further exemplifying the company’s commitment to humanitarian efforts at sea.

It’s good to know that Carnival guests are in such safe hands.