SYMPHONY OF THE SEAS

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Medevac off Cabo Rojo

A US Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter medevaced a passenger of the 'Symphony of the Seas' on March 14, 2024, in the Caribbean Sea just southwest of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. A 57-year-old man, U.S. citizen, had experienced possible stroke symptoms and required a higher level of medical care ashore. Coast Guard watch standers in Sector San Juan received a request for medevac assistance in the morning, when the cruise ship was transiting 116 nautical miles southwest of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Watchstanders at Sector San Juan coordinated medevac arrangements and directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to rendezvous with the cruise ship. Once on scene, the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer aboard the cruise ship, who prepared the patient for a litter hoist and ensured he was safely hoisted aboard the aircraft. The Coast Guard aircrew transported the patient to the La Mercedita Airport in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where awaiting local Emergency Medical Service personnel received and transported the patient to a local hospital. Report with photos: https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3708134/coast-guard-medevacs-us-citizen-symphony-of-the-seas-cruise-ship-passenger-in-t/

Crew member accused of hiding cameras to spy on guests, including underage girls

A Royal Caribbean cruise employee is accused of hiding cameras inside bathrooms of passenger cabins to spy on guests, including underage girls. Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, was arrested on March 3, 2024, on federal charges of production and possession of child sexual abuse material after the 'Symphony of the Seas' arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Florida. He also faces six counts of voyeurism in state court. A guest staying in a cabin where Mirasol was an attendant found a camera in the bathroom Feb 25. It was “affixed to the counter underneath the sink," according to the affidavit. She reported it to ship officials, who sent security to the room to investigate. Mirasol, who is a citizen of the Philippines, was detained on the ship until March 3, when it docked in Fort Lauderdale. He was questioned by agents from Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Broward Sheriff's Office. Agents discovered “numerous videos of naked females” as well as images of child sexual abuse while looking at his phone, an SD card and USB stick. One of the videos showed Mirasol installing a camera in a guest cabin's bathroom. In one five-minute video, a 10-year-old girl entered the bathroom, removed her clothes and got into the shower. Mirasol told investigators he had been placing cameras in bathrooms since he began working on the ship in Dec 2023. He admitted he knew it was illegal to film underage girls. In addition to the hidden cameras, Mirasol told agents he went into rooms while guests were taking showers and hid under the bed. He would then record them getting dressed, according to the affidavit. Royal Caribbean said in a statement that the company has fired Mirasol and is cooperating with the investigation. Mirasol is represented by Robert Berube of the federal public defender's office, who said in an email that he would not comment on the case. Mirasol remained in the Broward County Jail on March 6.

Person who fell over board rescued after one hour

A person went overboard from the 'Symphony of the Seas' on Oct 29, 2023, at 11 p.m., approximately halfway between Barcelona and Valencia, but was quickly rescued thanks to the fast actions of the ship’s crew. The incident occurreon the first night of the ship’s repositioning sailing after ending her Mediterranean cruise season. The ship diverted from its course for approximately one hour while the water was searched. Shortly afterwards, the ship’s captain announced that the rescue had been successful and the individual was receiving appropriate care in the ship’s medical center. The 'Symphony of the Seas' had departed Barcelona at 5 p.m., with Valencia as its first destination on the 14-night transatlantic cruise that will bring the ship to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the winter Caribbean season.