VIPA Executive Director Applauds Courageous Rescue by Port and Police Personnel at Cruise Ship Pier in St. Croix

(St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands) - Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive  Director Carlton Dowe wishes to commend Chief Wharfinger Waynia Charles and VI Police Department Officer Karima Liburd for their courageous and heroic actions in rescuing a female passenger from the Oceania Cruises MS Nautica that fell off the cruise ship pier in St. Croix.

The incident occurred on Monday, February 23, around noon, at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted.  The situation arose when the cruise passenger sat on the edge of the pier to tie her shoe. She suddenly experienced a wave of dizziness and, unfortunately, fell over the side of the dock. Charles and Liburd quickly jumped into the water, utilizing a life ring to pull the traveler to safety. VIPA Dock Master Devante Edwards promptly radioed nearby vessels for assistance, and the SSV Corwith Cramer responded to the call for help, arriving swiftly to offer support. Fortunately, the passenger was safely retrieved from the water and transported to the Juan F. Luis Hospital for treatment, where she was treated and later released.

Dowe said that VIPA expresses heartfelt gratitude to its employees and the Virgin Islands Police Department for their swift response, which ultimately saved the traveler's life. He also extends a special thanks to Deputy Commissioner Shamari Haynes and Ms. Sharon Rosario from the USVI Department of Tourism for arranging hotel accommodations for the traveler and her companion following her discharge from the hospital.

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 *Edited on March 4, 2026, to reflect that the vessel that responded was the Sea Education Association and the Sailing School Vessel Corwith Cramer.