Pensioner rescued from Atlantic after trying to swim to cruise ship
A British pensioner was rescued from the Atlantic clinging on to her handbag after trying to reach the Marco Polo cruise ship which had just left Madeira.
Susan Brown, 65, is believed to have jumped into the water after changing her mind about cutting short her Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ cruise following a row with her husband, Michael.
The passenger is recovering in hospital in Funchal after being rescued by fishermen 500 metres out to sea suffering from hypothermia.
The Marco Polo docked in Madeira on Saturday morning following a 32-night cruise to the West Indies.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) said that the couple had left the ship ‘at their request and for personal reasons’ on the Saturday with the cruise line helping them arrange flights to the UK and a transfer to the airport.
But just after the ship had left the port, CMV was notified by the port agent that Mrs Brown had been rescued at sea.
A spokesman said: "On receiving this news CMV was naturally most concerned as it understood that the couple had flown back together to the UK.
"Mr Brown was contacted immediately in Bristol by CMV who offered assistance and attempted to gain some insight into what had transpired following Mr and Mrs Brown’s disembarkation.
"CMV also liaised with the Foreign Office who, after recuperation in a Funchal hospital, will be making arrangements for her repatriation.
"The company are providing every help and support to the couple."
The couple started the CMV cruise on February 28 in Bristol.
Marco Polo is sailing to Lisbon en route to Bristol Avonmouth where the cruise will end on Thursday.
Diane
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