Royal Caribbean cruise ship Serenade of the Seas (IMO 9228344), which on October 16th became the first cruise ship for 18 months to depart from the Port of Tampa, Florida, had to divert to Key West on October 20th for a medevac.
The diversion required the coordination of the US Coast Guard, Key West authorities, the Key West Police, and the harbour pilots.
Shortly after departure from Tampa the captain of the vessel reported that an 81-year-old male passenger was in critical condition with septic shock. The passenger required urgent medical care.
The decision was made to bring the cruise ship in briefly for the medevac. The passenger was transferred to a hospital in Key West and the Serenade of the Seas ship departed Key West the same afternoon. As of October 21st the vessel was in the Gulf of Mexico, returning to Tampa after its short-haul cruise.
2003-built, Bahamas-flagged, 90,090 gt Serenade of the Seas is owned by Serenade of the Seas care of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd of Miami, Florida. ISM manager is RCL Cruises Ltd of Weybridge, UK. It is entered with Gard P&I on behalf of Serenade Of The Seas Inc.