Harbor Pilot Falls While Boarding Emerald Princess

A standard harbor transfer briefly escalated into an emergency on February 10 when a harbor pilot fell into the sea while attempting to board the EmeraldPrincess in rough conditions off Kauai.

The Princess Cruises vessel was preparing to enter port when the incident took place. According to witnesses, the pilot was ascending a rope ladder from a pilot boat when he lost his footing and fell an estimated 10 to 20 feet into the water. A “man overboard” alert was issued immediately.

Crew members aboard the pilot boat reacted swiftly, retrieving the pilot within minutes. Passenger accounts and videos shared online indicated that he was not injured. One eyewitness commended the crew for their quick and professional response.

Because of hazardous surf conditions, the scheduled port call in Kauai was canceled. The Emerald Princess instead continued its voyage toward Maui, where it was expected to arrive on February 11.

The incident came after the National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory, warning of strong winds and waves reaching up to 12 feet. The rough seas also caused a slight list onboard the ship, adding to the difficulty of the boarding operation.

At the time of reporting, Princess Cruises had not issued an official statement. In such cases, passengers are generally reimbursed for prepaid shore excursions when a port visit is missed.