Three Sea Rescues Save Dozens

Several recent maritime rescues saved dozens of people. On Oct. 22 the cruise ship Norwegian Epic diverted to assist an overcrowded, distressed sailboat in the Ionian Sea, taking 63 people aboard, providing medical care, food and comfort items, and transferring them to Greek authorities in Kalamata before resuming its itinerary. Passengers and social-media posts described the rescued people as migrants crowded on a small sailboat near Zakynthos, though the cruise line and officials have not confirmed identities. Separately, the MSC Splendida rescued 19 people from a dinghy off Cabrera near Mallorca and took them to Barcelona after dramatic onboard rescue efforts were captured on video. In the Arabian Sea on Oct. 25, the Indian Coast Guard rescued 31 fishermen from IFB Sant Anton‑I after the vessel drifted for 11 days following a steering‑gear failure about 100 nautical miles off New Mangaluru; ICGS Kasturba Gandhi and a Dornier aircraft located the boat, performed repairs and ensured watertight integrity before arranging towing to Honnavar.