A Disney cruise employee was airlifted from the Disney Wonder cruise ship on September 8, following a medical emergency. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Rescue team was dispatched to the vessel when it was approximately 113 miles off the coast of Vancouver, Canada.
A helicopter and a fixed-wing rescue aircraft coordinated the operation with the ship's captain. Video footage from the rescue shows a helicopter landing on the bow of the ship, while Disney crew members transported the injured employee from the ship's medical center to the front of the vessel.
"Disney Wonder, from Rescue 915, thanks for your help, you can resume your speed," an Air Force officer stated over the intercom. "We're gonna try to go to Comox. See you." The Disney captain responded, "Thank you very much for your help, much appreciated."
The injured crew member was transported to Comox, a town on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. From there, a British Columbia Emergency Services helicopter was waiting to transfer the individual to a hospital for treatment.
The identity of the crew member and the specific nature of their injury have not been released.
The Disney Wonder was on a seven-night itinerary through Alaska, with planned stops in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, along with glacier viewing at the Stikine Icecap. The ship had embarked on its journey the day before the medevac, on September 7. The Disney Wonder carries an international crew of 950 individuals, referred to as cast members.
The cruise was able to continue its Alaska voyage without further interruptions and returned to its homeport in Vancouver on September 14, according to its original schedule.