Carnival Cruise Line’s Captain Ranieri Receives Humanitarian Award for Valor

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Captain Niccolo De Ranieri and his team from Carnival Cruise Line‘s Mardi Gras were honored on Tuesday evening by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) for their courageous actions in saving the lives of 16 individuals. Ranieri graciously accepted the Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award during AFRAS’s annual awards ceremony held in Washington, D.C. This prestigious event acknowledges acts of heroism at sea, paying tribute to the bravery and dedication of individuals from the U.S. Coast Guard, merchant mariners, and cruise ship crew members.

Captain De Ranieri was steering the Mardi Gras back to Port Canaveral, Fla., on June 3, 2022, when the crew noticed a distressed vessel with eleven men and five women aboard in turbulent waters near Cuba. Despite facing difficult conditions due to an approaching hurricane, the Mardi Gras team managed to rescue the 16 stranded individuals, ensuring their safety. The ship’s medical team evaluated them and provided necessary provisions while coordinating a safe transfer with the U.S. Coast Guard.

            “Receiving this award is a humbling reminder of the responsibility we have as mariners. I’m proud of my team’s brave and coordinated efforts during this rescue,” said Captain De Ranieri. “It’s an honor to be recognized, and I’m thankful those 16 people were brought to safety.”

In 2023, Carnival teams followed the maritime tradition of aiding those in distress at sea by completing six rescues, ultimately saving 57 stranded individuals.

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