On February 10, 2026, a harbour pilot fell into the sea while trying to board the Emerald Princess cruise ship near Kauai. Fortunately, he was quickly rescued by the pilot boat crew and appeared unharmed. The incident occurred as the ship was preparing to dock, leading to the cancellation of its scheduled visit to Nawiliwili Harbour due to hazardous sea conditions.
Eyewitnesses reported that the pilot was climbing a rope ladder from the pilot boat when he slipped and fell into the water. Passengers noted that he had made several attempts to board the ship in rough weather before losing his balance. The crew on the pilot boat promptly maneuvered to retrieve him, and videos shared online showed him being safely brought back aboard without visible injuries.
The cruise line did not release an official statement at the time, but it is standard for cruise operators to issue refunds for pre-paid excursions when port calls are missed. The cancellation was attributed to severe weather warnings issued by the National Weather Service, which predicted dangerous surf conditions for the area.
Emerald Princess, carrying 3,090 guests, had embarked on a 16-night itinerary from Los Angeles, with Kauai as its first port after several days at sea. After the incident, the ship continued to Maui, with further stops planned in Hilo, Honolulu, and Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to Los Angeles.
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