While HAL-Holland America's ms Westerdam was en route from northern Vietnam to Tien Sa Port, Da Nang, a passenger suffered a serious fall down a stairway in the early hours of December 11th, prompting an urgent medical evacuation coordinated with Vietnamese maritime authorities.
The vessel was approximately 32 nautical miles northeast of Son Tra Cape when the incident occurred, and the 69-year-old German national sustained injuries to his spleen with suspected internal bleeding, requiring care beyond what the ship’s medical team could provide.
Following the fall, the ship’s doctor administered first aid, but the passenger’s condition remained critical. In response, the captain requested urgent assistance, and the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (VMRCC) directed Westerdam to proceed at full speed toward Da Nang despite rough sea conditions with northeasterly winds and moderate waves. At 03:27 a.m. local time a pilot boat rendezvoused with the vessel, and shortly thereafter the ship docked at Tien Sa Port at about 04:30 a.m. Local rescue teams and the ship’s agent were in position to transfer the injured passenger ashore for immediate hospital treatment.
The coordinated response between Westerdam, the VMRCC and Vietnamese port and medical services enabled the transfer of the passenger to a local hospital in Da Nang soon after the vessel’s arrival, illustrating operational procedures for handling serious onboard medical incidents while a cruise ship is underway in international waters.
The remainder of Westerdam’s itinerary was not reported to have been altered as a result of the evacuation, with the ship’s subsequent port calls proceeding as planned following the urgent stop in Da Nang.
For more ms Westerdam incidents and accidents, see the ship's CruiseMinus page.