Brevard County marine unit and Port Canaveral harbor pilot were able to save two recreational watercraft riders as a Carnival Cruise Line ship barreled towards them, coming within feet.
The accident happened Saturday afternoon when Captain Doug Brown noticed a recreational watercraft in the area where he was steering Carnival Magic cruise ship, according to a release from Canaveral Pilots Association.
He alerted Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit Deputy Taner Primmer, who was patrolling the harbor.
As Primmer responded, one of the two people on the watercraft fell into the water and, when they tried to get back on, the jet ski flipped over, sending both of them into the water as the cruise ship moved even closer, the release said.
Brown steered the ship away from the pair as Primmer hurried to pull them on board his Sheriff’s Office boat.
Both people were able to get on board in time and were not injured.
The harrowing rescue was captured and posted on YouTube by someone onboard the ship.