The vessel was heading for Cozumel in Mexico when the ship’s officers spotted the capsized boat and the group in distress.

Captain Francesco Fiorentino’s officers and crew immediately alerted the Belize Coast Guard, lowered one of its shipboard tenders into the water in conjunction with local Belize tenders, and helped safely recover all 17 people.

Each member of the group rescued was in good condition before a transfer with the Belize Coast Guard was coordinated.

Following the rescue mission, Dream resumed its voyage, continuing on to Cozumel as scheduled. The ship departed Galveston in Texas on 14 May for a six-day sailing and will return Saturday (20 May).

It’s the second time this year Carnival crew have come to the rescue of stranded seafarers, after Carnival Valor officers helped secure three people in March and the crew onboard a passing Carnival Cruise Line ship brought a group of people in the Caribbean to safety in April.