Cruise ship crew rescues four people and three dogs from stricken boat
Crew on a cruise ship have rescued four people, including two Aussies, stranded on a disabled boat off the coast of New Caledonia.
Carnival Splendor's crew plucked the sailors and their three dogs from the catamaran in the South Pacific on Thursday.
The cruise ship was alerted by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in New Caledonian capital, Noumea, of the boat's distress call.
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Two couples and their dogs were rescued from the boat by ship's crew. Supplied
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Those on board the boat included couple Dusty and Helena, who are living aboard with their dogs.
They are Aussie bloggers with a YouTube page called Sailing Barking Cat.
They were on a trip "sailing around the world".
Carnival Splendor's crew plucked the sailors and their three dogs from the catamaran in the South Pacific on Thursday. Supplied/Carnival
After sailing the coast of Australia, they were heading to Fiji, with two French bulldogs and a mini husky in tow.
Joined by another couple, a German and an Italian, they set off on May 14 but their engine failed and mast broke in bad weather.
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A Carnival Cruise Line spokeswoman said the ship headed to the location and rescued them within five hours.
A Carnival Cruise Line spokeswoman said the ship headed to the location and rescued them within five hours. Supplied
"The two couples and their three dogs were safely welcomed onto Carnival Splendor and are receiving food, water and medical assistance," a Carnival Cruise line spokeswoman said.
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The ship left Sydney on Monday on an eight-day round trip cruise to Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
The rescued sailors will get off in Noumea.
