Critical condition: Rescue chopper airlifts 66-year-old cruise passenger from AIDAmar ship off Geraldton coast

A medical emergency unfolded off the coast of Geraldton on Wednesday, prompting a rescue helicopter to rush to the aid of a stricken cruise ship passenger. The RAC Rescue helicopter was sent to the AIDAmar cruise ship after a passenger — a 66-year-old woman in a critical condition — was experiencing a medical emergency. The ship had set sail from Geraldton on Tuesday evening after its 2000 passengers spent a day in Geraldton. More than 12 hours after departing Geraldton, the ship contacted the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) response centre requesting assistance. An AMSA spokesperson confirmed the woman experienced a medical emergency on the cruise ship and required attention. The call was made at 8.30am on Wednesday morning. About 8pm, residents in Geraldton noticed a rescue helicopter travelling above the city. It’s understood the cruise ship was near the Abrolhos Islands when it made contact to AMSA. “A Perth-based RAC helicopter successfully evacuated the woman, with support from the AMSA’s Perth-based Challenger rescue aircraft, 140km off the coast of Geraldton,” the AMSA spokesperson said. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services said the ship’s location was well outside operational range for the RAC Rescue helicopter, however the patient required helicopter hoist extraction before last light. “AMSA co-ordinated efforts between RAC Rescue and the cruise ship, and the vessel was directed to steer towards Geraldton for a planned intercept point of 80 nautical miles (148km) off the coast of Geraldton,” a DFES spokesperson said. DFES said the mission took five hours and 40 minutes, with the chopper reaching the ship 45 minutes before last light. The Royal Flying Doctor Service was waiting for the 66-year-old in Geraldton. AMSA said it was understood she was taken to Geraldton Regional Hospital and later flown to Perth for treatment. The woman remains in a critical condition at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. A spokesperson for Carnival Australia said it was focused on providing support to the AIDAmar guest in their ongoing care.