Passenger Airlifted from Celebrity Apex After Medical Crisis

A traveler onboard Celebrity Apex was evacuated by air after becoming seriously ill while the ship was en route to Port Canaveral.

The incident occurred roughly 24 nautical miles north of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Officials reported that the 65-year-old passenger was experiencing multiple medical complications that required immediate treatment ashore. At the time of the emergency, the ship was sailing from St. Kitts toward Florida.

Crew members contacted the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday to request urgent assistance. An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter departed from Air Station Borinquen and flew out to intercept the cruise ship.

After reaching the vessel, a rescue swimmer was lowered onto the deck to assess the passenger and work with the ship’s medical staff. The patient was placed in a rescue litter and hoisted into the helicopter. His wife was also lifted aboard using a rescue basket so she could accompany him.

Both were transported to Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport in San Juan, where medical personnel were prepared to receive them. They were then taken by ambulance to Centro Médico Hospital for continued treatment.