> At a Glance
> – A 76-year-old American woman fractured her left femur aboard Viking Sky on Jan. 1
> – Mexican naval rescue teams dispatched a Defender-type vessel off Michoacán coast
> – Patient stabilized and transferred to local hospital; no update on current condition
> – Why it matters: Highlights cruise-line medical-emergency protocols in remote waters
A New-Year’s-Day fall aboard the Viking Sky triggered a rapid ocean rescue after an American traveler suffered a broken thigh bone while sailing near Mexico’s Pacific shoreline.
Mid-Sea Medical Evacuation
The Sixteenth Naval Zone in Mexico received the distress call as the cruise ship passed western Michoacán. Crews launched a Defender-class patrol boat staffed with naval medical specialists to intercept the vessel.
Rescuers lifted the injured passenger onto a stretcher, transferred her to the patrol craft, and rushed her to shore. A Civil Protection ambulance then delivered the woman-reported in stable condition-to a nearby hospital for advanced care.
Voyage Details
The 17-day cruise departed Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 19 and is scheduled to dock in Los Angeles on Jan. 5. Planned stops before the incident included:
- Cozumel, Mexico
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Panama Canal
- Puntarenas, Costa Rica
- Acajutla, El Salvador
Viking Ocean Cruises has not yet replied to requests for comment.
Key Takeaways
- Mexican navy executed same-day evacuation off Michoacán coast
- Passenger’s injury required specialized on-shore treatment
- Viking Sky continued itinerary after medical hand-off
The rescue underscores the critical role of coastal authorities when medical crises strike far from land.
