[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE CAPTAIN AND CREW OF THE ``CARNIVAL ELATION''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special 
tribute to the captain and crew of the Carnival Elation for their 
incredible bravery during the rescue of a fishing boat stranded in the 
Gulf of Mexico during Hurricane Irma last year. Their mettle will be 
honored this week by the Association for Rescue at Sea.
  While undergoing routine maintenance and the replacement of its 
bridge navigation system in Freeport, Bahamas, the Carnival Elation 
began monitoring a storm developing off the coast of Western Africa. 
When the storm quickly grew to a Category 5 hurricane and it became 
clear that its path would likely lead directly over the Bahamas, the 
decision was made to move the ship and seek shelter in the Gulf of 
Mexico.
  While sailing away from Hurricane Irma's path, the Elation received a 
relayed distress message from the U.S. Coast Guard alerting them that a 
fishing boat, the Captain Eddie, was taking on water approximately 60 
nautical miles to their east and that two crewmembers were in dire need 
of assistance. Elation Captain Gaetano Gigliotti and his crew 
immediately set out to assist in the rescue, while the Coast Guard 
planned to provide a helicopter in support of the effort. The Elation 
navigated through treacherous conditions, facing 15-20-foot waves and 
sustaining winds of 40 knots, gusting at times to well over 60 knots. 
Despite these conditions, and without normal comprehensive bridge 
systems and communications equipment due to their early evacuation, the 
Elation stayed the course, only to be informed shortly before arriving 
at the struggling fishing boat that the USCG could no longer provide 
helicopter assistance due to the dangerous wind conditions.
  Nearing the fishing boat, Captain Gigliotti decided it was too 
dangerous to allow an Elation rescue ship to pick up the fishermen and 
instead chose to move the Elation closer to the life raft to facilitate 
a rescue through a single open door in the hull. The Captain skillfully 
maneuvered the 70,000+ ton, 260+ meter Elation at slow speed in the 
heavy winds and seas, successfully positioning the ship alongside the 
life raft. Ignoring the potential risk to their own lives, several 
Elation deck team members were able to successfully bring the sole 
survivor on board using a harness and hoisting line. Unfortunately, the 
Elation crew quickly learned from the survivor that his fellow 
crewmembers had refused to abandon ship and were lost when the fishing 
vessel rapidly sank. The Elation medical team took excellent care of 
the survivor, facilitated contact with his family and coordinated with 
the U.S. embassy to ensure his timely return to the United States after 
the ship returned to the Bahamas.
  We thank Captain Gigliotti and the entire Elation crew for their 
bravery in coming to the rescue of this fishing boat and its crew. 
Their courage in the face of extreme conditions, even placing their own 
lives at risk to save the lives of others, stands as an example of true 
heroism. I am pleased their efforts have been recognized by the 
Association for the Rescue at Sea and that they have been awarded the 
2019 Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award. They also were honored 
by the International Maritime Organization with its 2018 Award for 
Exceptional Bravery at Sea.
  As a founder and chair of the Florida Ports Caucus and proud 
representative of PortMiami, which is known as the ``Cruise Capital of 
the World,'' it is my honor to recognize the captain and crew of the 
Carnival Elation.

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