Four People, Three Dogs Rescued From Pacific Ocean by Cruise Ship
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A Carnival Cruise ship carrying more than 3,000 passengers took on a few more after rescuing a group of people stranded on a catamaran in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, according to a press release from the cruise line.
The Splendor was on a round-trip cruise from Sydney to Vanuatu and New Caledonia when it heard about the distress call from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Nouméa.
The Syndey-based ship headed towards the call and picked up the newest passengers, three dogs and two couples.
A spokesperson for Carnival Cruises told Newsweek by email Saturday that "the catamaran suffered engine failure and a broken mast during bad weather."
Newsweek has reached out the group on the catamaran as well as Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Nouméa via email on Saturday during non-working hours.
The Context
New Caledonia is an archipelago about halfway between Brisbane, Australia, and Fiji in the South Pacific, nearly 900 miles of ocean between the continent and the collection of islands.
It isn't clear exactly where the distressed vessel made the call from, but the Splendor traveled five hours before reaching the crew of the distressed vessel.
What To Know
The rescued passengers include the creators of the YouTube channel Sailing Barking Cat, the spokesperson told Newsweek.
The pair, Dusty and Helena, chronicle their adventures as they move from living in a van in Australia to full-time living on a catamaran with their three dogs, Wiggle, which is a mini husky, and Juno and Potato who are French bulldogs.
The four people rescued from the catamaran started sailing May 14 from the Gold Coast of Australia with a destination of Fiji, according to the Carnival Cruise spokesperson.
Those rescued included two Australians, one German and one Italian citizen, the spokesperson added.
All four passengers and the three pets have been taken in by the Splendor and are receiving medical attention as well as food and water.
A Carnival Cruise ship rescued four people and three dogs from a distressed vessel.
A Carnival Cruise ship rescued four people and three dogs from a distressed vessel.
Provided by Carnival Cruise Line
What People Are Saying
Sailing Barking Cat posted a clip of a news report about their rescue on their Facebook page and simply wrote on Friday: "We had to be rescued."
What Happens Next?
Despite the rescue, the Splendor is still scheduled to visit Nouméa on Saturday and return to Sydney by Tuesday, according to the press release from the cruise line.
It is currently unclear if the distressed vessel is fit to continue to sail or where it is currently located.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Pennsylvania Group Proposes Alternative Rail Plan for State
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Pennsylvania authorities are planning a new highway to connect the State College Area, but local activists have pitched an alternative: a railway system. The Centre County Highway Project would construct an 8-mile, four-lane connector to improve access to the State College area. A campaign group opposing the highway is calling for the state to invest in a rail system instead. Newsweek reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation via email for comment. Why It Matters The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is exploring options for a new highway access road connecting U.S. 322 at Potters Mills and the Mount Nittany Expressway near Boalsburg. Planning took place throughout 2024, with open-house meetings about the project held in August. What To Know The Centre County Highway Revolt, a campaign group that wants to replace the highway plans with a railway system, told Newsweek that a train network would be more useful to residents and less environmentally damaging. "The project is primarily hoping to end highway construction in Pennsylvania and divert road funding over to rail transit and active transportation," a spokesperson for the CCHR campaign said. The group also stated that the cost of a rail project would be lower than that of a highway of the same length, although the proposal has not been fully costed. "A quick back-of-the-envelope calculation indicates phase 1 should be under $400 million, so about half the cost of the SCAC highway, but also we're not engineering experts, so take that with a grain of salt, CCHR said. "Future phases will obviously be much more expensive, but that's just making up for lost time. There are currently 3 highways going into the State College area, but zero long-distance bicycle trails (like the nearby GAP or Ghost Town trails) and zero intercity rail options (like is seen at equivalent R1 University towns such as Davis, Champaign-Urbana, or Ann Arbor)." A proposed map of a rail route in Centre County, Pennsylvania. A proposed map of a rail route in Centre County, Pennsylvania. CCHR The current route proposed by the CCHR campaign would stretch from State College to Tyrone, connecting the Amtrak service there. "PennDOT has offered people a choice of 'peanuts, peanuts, or peanuts' and concluded nobody wants pretzels," CCHR said. "We think that's bad engineering, and all future road and highway projects should be halted until multimodal options have been brought up to equivalent levels of investment." "The economic benefits are myriad. The science shows conclusively that rail and trail projects generate a much higher return on investment for every dollar spent than equivalent road projects. Cars are insanely expensive, so transit users and bicyclists spend more at local businesses than drivers, and tubular transit connections have been shown to directly improve rural economies and eco-tourism." What People Are Saying The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said that the highway would "meet the needs of interstate, regional, and local traffic passing through and moving within the study area by reducing congestion, improving safety, and addressing system continuity." What Happens Next The highway project continues to make progress, with more consultations about environmental impact scheduled in the future.
Business Insider
21 hours ago
- Business Insider
Top 10 African countries with highest French Schengen visa applications
France has emerged as the most popular Schengen country for visa applicants in 2024, surpassing traditional destinations like the UK, Canada, Italy, and the US. France has become the primary Schengen visa destination in 2024, surpassing traditional countries such as the UK and Italy. Increased visa applications from Africa, particularly North and West African nations, highlight strong ties between France and the continent. Over 1.36 million applications were from African countries, with Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco being the leading contributors. France received over 1.36 million visa applications from Africa, out of a global total of 3 million, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. The surge in visa applications highlights France's enduring ties with many African nations, driven by shared history, language, and culture, as well as substantial diaspora communities in France and efficient visa procedures. For many applicants, family connections, educational pursuits, and business relationships continue to fuel strong interest in France Based on a recent data from Travelobiz, the following are the top 10 African nationalities that submitted applications for French Schengen visas in 2024 Country Total Schengen Applications Application to France % to France Morocco 606,800 282,153 46.5% Algeria 544, 634 352,295 64.7% Tunisia 177,951 106,617 59.9% Ivory Coast 77,385 62,786 81.1% Nigeria 111,201 55,833 50.2% Senegal 72,412 36, 323 50.1% Cameroon 51,679 31, 349 60.6% South Africa 193,768 30,304 15.6% DRC 25,774 24,291 94.2% Gabon 18, 395 16,913 91.9% total: 998,864 total: 53% North and West Africa Lead Applications The Data above indicates that countries in North and West Africa accounted for the bulk of applications. Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Senegal, and Ivory Coast were among the top countries whose nationals preferred France over other Schengen destinations. Algeria accounted for over 540,000 applications, with nearly 65% directed to France. Tunisia and Morocco followed closely, with significant proportions of their Schengen applications also headed for France. Sub-Saharan Africa demonstrated a strong trend toward France. Nations like Gabon, Benin, and Togo channeled over 90% of their Schengen applications to France, while countries like the Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Cameroon also showed a strong preference. Remarkably, Djibouti, Chad, and the Central African Republic exclusively applied for French Schengen visas, suggesting a distinct cultural or diplomatic connection. Notably, The data confirms France's status as the gateway to Europe for African travelers, driven by long-standing relationships and present-day opportunities. As bilateral ties continue to grow, the country is expected to remain Africa's leading Schengen destination well into 2025 and beyond.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Newsweek
Bride Wakes Up in Agony After Wedding Disaster—Then Comes the Diagnosis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For two years, Sarah and Luke Wintrip planned their perfect destination wedding in Jamaica, but little did they know, it would almost cost the bride her life and she had to be rushed to hospital. The newlyweds tied the knot on May 16 at Sandals Ochi Rios in Jamaica, surrounded by their close friends and family. Ahead of their big day, Sarah was filled with excitement, telling Newsweek that it was meant to be "the most magical celebration in paradise." Unfortunately, during the flight out, Sarah started to notice a pain in her groin that kept getting worse. While she knew something was wrong, the bride-to-be didn't want to let anyone know, especially not her fiancé. "I felt a gritty lump in my groin and thought I might've pulled something," Sarah, 38, said. "But I didn't want to spoil the holiday, so I ignored it and tried to carry on as if nothing was wrong. "I didn't tell anyone, not even Luke. I nearly fainted in front of my bridesmaids on the morning of the wedding, but I laughed it off and pushed through. I didn't want to ruin the day or cause worry. It was so important to me that Luke had the perfect day." Sarah, from Essex, U.K., managed to make it through the ceremony and officially became Mrs. Wintrip. Sarah and Luke Wintrip at their wedding Jamaican wedding in May 2025. Sarah and Luke Wintrip at their wedding Jamaican wedding in May 2025. @lipsticknlouboutins_ / / Instagram Everyone in attendance was delighted for the happy couple, but they had no idea that Sarah was running on "sheer willpower," painkillers, and adrenaline. As the agony continued, she kept telling herself to make it through the day. This was her wedding and she wanted it to be unforgettable. Unfortunately, it became memorable for all the wrong reasons. Sarah said: "I knew it was serious, but I couldn't admit it. This was our dream day, and I couldn't bear the thought of it not happening. So, I made sure it did, even if it killed me (which it nearly did). "We never had our first dance because I knew I'd collapse. I didn't dance at all, other than part of one song at the end of the night that my friends pulled me up for. I had this stunning wedding dress with a corset that I loved, but I had to take it off within an hour because it hurt too much." The day before flying back to the U.K., Sarah finally told Luke, 36, about the pain she was experiencing. It was clear she needed to get to hospital, but she insisted on returning home before receiving medical attention. It was an excruciating 10-hour flight, but Sarah did her best to sleep through it. With an hour left before landing, she awoke in agony and had to be given an oxygen mask to help her breathe. She was in and out of conscious by the time they landed and was medically evacuated from the plane. Sarah and Luke were taken to the nearest hospital via ambulance, by which time she'd become unresponsive. Medical staff ran several tests as soon as the newlyweds arrived, but Sarah doesn't remember much of it. "They found that I had a ruptured infected cyst in the inguinal canal, and I was in full-blown sepsis. My body was shutting down, and even before they told me, I could feel it. I wasn't fully aware of everything, but I could feel my body giving up. I knew I was dying," Sarah told Newsweek. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that happens when an underlying infection triggers a chain reaction throughout the body. Around 1.7 million American adults develop sepsis every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The common symptoms include clammy or sweaty skin, confusion, extreme pain, fever, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath. Only a matter of days before, the couple vowed to love each other through sickness and in health. That was quickly put to the test, as Luke didn't leave his wife's side. He slept on the floor and even in the hospital corridors to stay with her. Luke and Sarah Wintrip during their Jamaican destination wedding in May 2025. Luke and Sarah Wintrip during their Jamaican destination wedding in May 2025. @lipsticknlouboutins_ / / Instagram Doctors hoped to get the infection under control with antibiotics, but it proved too advanced, and Sarah was rushed into emergency surgery. The infected cyst was removed, and Sarah has a machine connected to her groin that drains the fluid. She remains under close observation and is yet to find out if she requires further surgery. "The recovery is slow and painful. My organs hurt, especially my kidneys, and I'm constantly exhausted," she said. "Ironically, our signature wedding cocktail was Mai Tied the knot, and we nearly didn't." After learning that she'd unknowingly got married while battling sepsis, Sarah posted about her experience on TikTok (@lipsticknlouboutins_). By documenting her symptoms and diagnosis, she hopes to raise awareness for sepsis and help others recognize the early signs before it's too late. Her TikTok videos have gone viral, one even generated over 1.3 million views in just a matter of days. The online reaction is beyond anything Sarah expected, adding that the support she's received has "meant the world." For now, wedded bliss isn't quite what Sarah and Luke had in mind as they continue to go back and forth between hospital visits. However, they've already started saving money to go on another vacation and "relive the wedding [they] never got" in the future. Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
