On May 26, 2026, the Silver Whisper, operated by Silversea Cruises, undertook a seven-hour diversion to rescue an injured sailor from a stranded sailboat named April Alice in the Pacific Ocean. The cruise ship was nearing the end of a 24-night journey from Papeete, Tahiti, to Vancouver, Canada, when it received a distress call. The sailboat had lost power and communications, leaving it stranded in rough weather far from Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, making an air rescue impossible.
Captain Michele Macarone Palmieri altered the ship’s course in compliance with international SOLAS regulations, which mandate assistance to those in distress at sea. When the Silver Whisper arrived, the crew found the sailboat severely damaged, missing its mast, and the lone sailor on board suffering from a shoulder injury. Passengers reported that the rescue took place during unusually calm conditions, contrasting the rough seas encountered earlier in the voyage.
The crew faced challenges during the operation—after an initial attempt to secure the sailor failed due to a broken line, they repositioned for a successful rescue. Guests onboard described the emotional impact of witnessing the rescue, expressing appreciation for the crew’s professionalism. The injured sailor received medical treatment onboard and is expected to disembark in Vancouver on May 28. Despite the diversion, the Silver Whisper is still set to arrive in Vancouver on schedule and will soon commence its 2026 Alaska cruise season.
