When a crew member aboard cruise ship Diamond Princess suffered a serious eye injury, the Northland Rescue Helicopter was tasked with winching them off the ship. Video / Northland Rescue Helicopter
The January 30 rescue was required for a crew member who suffered a serious eye injury and needed urgent hospital specialist treatment, mission captain Josh Peacey said.
The cruise ship Diamond Princess, which takes 2670 passengers and 1100 crew, was sailing to Auckland from Brisbane and was about 37km east of Matauri Bay when the rescue was needed.
Peacey, who has been a pilot for about 10 years, said this was his first winch from a cruise ship at sea.
Fortunately, conditions were good with favourable weather, daylight and a competent crew aboard the ship, he said.
“It was a large cruise liner, good day conditions and a good platform to winch to and from — that all worked in our favour.”
Before the helicopter reached the cruise liner, the onboard crew cleared the deck to make sure it was safe for the helicopter to get near, Peacey said.
“It was pretty slick. Once we got there, the patient was all good to go with a small bag and passport.”
Rescue swimmer and intensive care paramedic Blake Murray was lowered onto the ship by winch operator Paul Davis and co-pilot Marinus Coetzee.
After about five minutes, Murray and the patient were ready to be winched back into the helicopter, Peacey said.
The 2670-passenger cruise ship Diamond Princess was sailing between Auckland and Brisbane when the rescue was needed. Photo / Northland Rescue Helicopter
The patient was in a serious condition with a potential threat to life, and was flown to Auckland Hospital for specialist treatment.
Peacey said while the conditions were favourable, the winch rescue still required skill and good coordination.
“There’s a bit of training involved to get there,” he said.
The rescue was one of 105 missions completed by Northland Rescue helicopters in January alone.
This follows on from 982 missions in 2024, including 96 flights in December. One particularly busy day, December 1, required nine flights, with two flights each to Auckland, Kaitāia and Dargaville, and one each to Urupukapuka, Ōakura and Waipu.
The patient was winched off the cruise ship in a status 2 condition and flown to Auckland Hospital for specialist treatment. Photo / Northland Rescue Helicopter
Northern Rescue chief executive Ian MacPherson thanked the Northland community for their ongoing support, along with all first responders and volunteers with whom the rescue team works.
He also acknowledged the paramedics, pilots, engineers and office staff who keep the operation running smoothly 24/7.
“It is no easy feat operating such a busy air ambulance service with almost 50 staff based in Whangārei but our team are so passionate and professional.
“I take my hat off to them for the service they provide Northlanders and visitors to the region in their time of need.”
Run by the Northland Emergency Services Trust, the operation was established in Whangārei 1988 and has completed more than 30,000 missions in the years since.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
