What happens if you or a family member becomes ill or injured while at sea? Cruise ships and the doctors that are employed by the cruise lines are not always equipped or qualified to respond to every ailment or injury that presents itself.

The United States Coast Guard routinely evacuates U.S. citizens from cruise ships and cruise ship ports. If you become ill or injured and you fear that your health or life is seriously in danger, request that the cruise ship doctor or ship's captain contact the nearest U.S. Coast Guard Air Station or R.C.C. (rescue coordination center) to arrange for your evacuation from the ship.

"We're the busiest search-and-rescue unit in the Coast Guard," said Lt. j.g. Chris Barnes, a Falcon pilot at Air Station Miami. "We stand a 24-hour watch for this purpose and we're glad to have the chance to use our resources to save lives." 

For more information read the article at this link.