A harbor pilot was rescued after falling into the water while attempting to board the 951' cruise ship Emerald Princess off Kauai, Hawaii, on Feb. 10, prompting a brief man overboard response and the cancellation of the vessel’s port call at Nawiliwili Harbor.
Princess Cruises’ Emerald Princess, a 113,561-gt vessel registered in Bermuda, was preparing to enter Nawiliwili Harbor at approximately 7:45 a.m. when the incident occurred. The ship, which carries about 3,080 passengers and 1,200 crewmembers, was operating a Hawaii itinerary at the time.
According to passenger accounts shared on social media, the harbor pilot was making his third attempt to board the vessel via rope ladder from a pilot boat when he lost his footing and fell into the ocean. Passengers reported the pilot fell an estimated 10 to 20 feet along the ship’s hull.
The ship’s captain immediately announced a man overboard situation. Crew aboard the pilot boat quickly maneuvered to recover the individual from the water. Video shared by passengers shows the pilot being pulled back aboard the pilot vessel within minutes. Reports indicate he was not seriously injured.
At the time of the incident, east-facing shores of Kauai were under a high surf advisory issued by the National Weather Service. Strong winds were producing breaking waves of 7' to 10', with surf heights forecast between 8' and 12'.
Following the failed boarding attempt, Princess Cruises canceled the Kauai port call.
The incident marks the third pilot fall during a ship transfer reported in the past month.
