Vietnam’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center says a 69-year-old German passenger on Holland America’s Westerdam fell down stairs during rough seas off Da Nang on Dec. 11. Ship medics treated a spleen injury and suspected internal bleeding, and the captain requested urgent assistance. A pilot boat met the ship, which docked at Tien Sa Port, and the patient was taken to Vinmec Da Nang Hospital. The vessel was carrying about 1,900 passengers and, according to CruiseMapper, its itinerary was not impacted.
69-Year-Old Passenger Medically Evacuated After Falling Aboard Holland America Ship Off Da Nang
Vietnam MRCCHolland America and VMRCC crews transfer an injured cruise patient on Dec. 11
A 69-year-old German passenger aboard Holland America’s Westerdam was medically evacuated after a serious fall down a staircase during rough seas, Vietnam’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (VMRCC) confirmed.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 11 at about 2:18 a.m. local time, roughly 32 nautical miles off the coast of Da Nang. Shipboard medical personnel provided first aid and assessed the passenger, who sustained a spleen injury and was suspected to have internal bleeding. Medical staff categorized his condition as critical.
Vietnam MRCCHolland America and VMRCC crews transfer an injured cruise patient on Dec. 11.
Urgent Response and Evacuation
Following the onboard assessment, the Westerdam's captain issued an emergency request for assistance. Because of the risk of internal bleeding, the VMRCC instructed the vessel to proceed at full speed toward Da Nang.
Local news outlets reported that a pilot boat rendezvoused with the cruise ship at buoy No. 0 at about 3:27 a.m. The Westerdam arrived and safely docked at Tien Sa Port at approximately 4:30 a.m., and the injured passenger was immediately transferred to Vinmec Da Nang Hospital for treatment.
Andy Soloman/UCG/Universal Images Group via GettyA VMRCC rescue boat is docked in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Context And Ship Details
At the time of the incident the ship was carrying about 1,900 passengers and was en route from Quang Ninh to Tien Sa Port, Da Nang. CruiseMapper lists the voyage as a 27-day round-trip itinerary titled "Far East, The Philippines and Malaysia Collector," which departed Singapore on Nov. 23 and is scheduled to return on Dec. 20. According to CruiseMapper, the overall itinerary was not affected by the emergency medical evacuation.
Vietnam's MRCC confirmed the evacuation but did not disclose the patient's condition after transfer to the hospital. Holland America had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
