Four People, Three Dogs Rescued From Pacific Ocean by Cruise Ship

A Carnival Cruise ship carrying more than 3,000 passengers took on a few more after rescuing a group of people stranded on a catamaran in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, according to a press release from the cruise line.

The Splendor was on a round-trip cruise from Sydney to Vanuatu and New Caledonia when it heard about the distress call from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Nouméa.

The Syndey-based ship headed towards the call and picked up the newest passengers, three dogs and two couples.

A spokesperson for Carnival Cruises told Newsweek by email Saturday that “the catamaran suffered engine failure and a broken mast during bad weather.”

Newsweek has reached out the group on the catamaran as well as Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Nouméa via email on Saturday during non-working hours.

The Context

New Caledonia is an archipelago about halfway between Brisbane, Australia, and Fiji in the South Pacific, nearly 900 miles of ocean between the continent and the collection of islands.

It isn't clear exactly where the distressed vessel made the call from, but the Splendor traveled five hours before reaching the crew of the distressed vessel.

What To Know

The rescued passengers include the creators of the YouTube channel Sailing Barking Cat, the spokesperson told Newsweek.

The pair, Dusty and Helena, chronicle their adventures as they move from living in a van in Australia to full-time living on a catamaran with their three dogs, Wiggle, which is a mini husky, and Juno and Potato who are French bulldogs.

The four people rescued from the catamaran started sailing May 14 from the Gold Coast of Australia with a destination of Fiji, according to the Carnival Cruise spokesperson.

Those rescued included two Australians, one German and one Italian citizen, the spokesperson added.

All four passengers and the three pets have been taken in by the Splendor and are receiving medical attention as well as food and water.

What People Are Saying

Sailing Barking Cat posted a clip of a news report about their rescue on their Facebook page and simply wrote on Friday: “We had to be rescued.”

Matt Lupoli, spokesperson for Carnival Cruise Lines told Newsweek in an email: “We're grateful to have captains and officers across our fleet who are dedicated to the safety and well-being of everyone. They are always scanning the waters and ready to help when needed and they will be the first to point out that it is a maritime custom to help anyone in distress at sea.”

What Happens Next?

Despite the rescue, the Splendor is still scheduled to visit Nouméa on Saturday and return to Sydney by Tuesday, according to the press release from the cruise line.

It is currently unclear if the distressed vessel is fit to continue to sail or where it is currently located.

5/24/2025 3:25 p.m. This story was updated to include a quote from a Carnival Cruise Spokesperson.