2024-04-12 18:41:21
In a ceremony held Tuesday night, the crew of Carnival Cruise Line‘s Mardi Gras cruise ship was honored with the prestigious Cruise Humanitarian Assistance Award for rescuing a group of Cuban rafters nearly two years ago.
Captain Niccolo De Ranieri and his team received the award in recognition of their brave rescue of these Antilleans who, by then, were in dangerous conditions in the open sea.
The heroic event dates back to June 3, 2022, when the Mardi Gras crew, on their way back to Port Canaveral, sighted a vessel in distress near Cuba.
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There were 11 men and five women on board, facing hostile weather and an imminent threat.
The crew, under the direction of Ranieri, carried out the rescue, ensuring the safety of the 16 Cuban rafters.
These people were treated with medical care, provided with food and clothing, and later safely handed over to the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
After the rescue at that time, the Mardi Gras crew had issued a statement about it: “Carnival crew members aboard the Mardi Gras spotted a small vessel in distress and stopped to help before 8 a.m. Friday as the ship headed toward Florida.”.
“Receiving this award is a reminder of the responsibility we have as sailors. “I am proud of the brave and coordinated efforts of my team during this rescue.”declared Ranieri during this last ceremony.
Despite the danger it represents, there are many Cuban rafters who continue to make the journey with the desperate intention of fleeing the misery imposed by the Castro regime.
Editorial of Cubans around the World