Earlier last week, a security officer from Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam saved a passenger who had fallen off of the pier in Grand Turk.
A 70 year old guest returning to the Nieuw Amsterdam reportedly fell off of the pier and began to struggle in the water. Upon seeing this incident, Nieuw Amsterdam security officer, Paul Haggerty, jumped into the water and swam towards the man. Haggerty proceeded to lift the man up to keep him afloat and aided in his rescue from the water. The guest was helped out of the water via a latter and crews from both the Nieuw Amsterdm and the Costa Luminosa.
According to a Holland America Line representative, the incident took place on December 10th, while the Nieuw Amsterdam was docked in Grand Turk alongside the Costa Luminosa.
Holland America Line sent a statement to Cruise Currents, commenting: “Our shipboard staff train rigorously for many scenarios and we commend the quick and decisive actions of the security officer. The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority.”
The guest was able to continue his cruise aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam without further incident thanks to the quick thinking and bravery shown by Paul Haggerty and the staff of Nieuw Amsterdam and Costa Luminosa.
Photos courtesy of CNN iReport.
One reply on “Holland America Security Officer Saves Man Who Fell From Pier”
I did not actually see this person fall in but did observe two Costa crew members looking down between the pier and the Costa Luminosa and recorded both with video and still shots the increasing number of crew from the Costa, and then from our ship, from my balcony on the Nieuw Amsterdam. When this gentleman was back on the pier the first thing he did was walk over to a lady (his wife?) and give her his camera. In my opinion, the whole scenario did not become coordinated until the HAL crew were on the scene.