In the case of the Regal Princess the ship’s master would have been fully briefed by the ship’s doctor on the condition of the sick patient, and whether or not a medevac by helicopter or transfer to a lifeboat was required, depending on the urgency of the situation and weather conditions. Large cruise ships can carry two doctors and a number of nurses. The ship contacted the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) centre, in this case Falmouth to discuss the matter of the medevac.
The MCA can also advise the ship’s master on the availability, and arrange provision of any additional assistance required - including, for ships within helicopter range, medical evacuation by air if required. The Regal Princess made an emergency diversion to Falmouth (Image: RNLI/ Sandy Proctor/ Luke Wills) Regal Princess had left Southampton bound for Cobh, Ireland and diverted to Falmouth in Cornwall when a few hours east of the port. You can read more about that here: Luxury cruise ship makes emergency stop in Falmouth for medical evacuation A lifeboat evacuation was required, which was duly carried out by Falmouth lifeboat after pilot Captain Alex Head brought the ship to a sheltered position for transferring the patient.
Professional medical advice to ships is also available through the radio medical advice service. Under international conventions, countries are required to provide radio medical advice to ships at sea, and for the UK this requirement is met by the designation of Queen Alexandra.