A routine harbor transfer turned into a brief emergency on February 10, when a harbor pilot fell into the ocean while attempting to board the Emerald Princess in rough seas off Kauai.

The incident occurred as the ship, operated by Princess Cruises, prepared to enter port. Witnesses said the pilot was climbing a rope ladder from a pilot boat when he slipped and fell about 10 to 20 feet into the water. A “man overboard” alert was immediately announced.

The pilot boat crew responded quickly and pulled the pilot back onboard within minutes. He was not injured, according to passenger reports and video footage shared online. One eyewitness praised the crew’s fast and professional handling of the situation.

Due to hazardous surf conditions, the ship’s scheduled call in Kauai was canceled. Instead, the Emerald Princess continued toward Maui, where it was set to arrive on February 11.

The incident followed a high surf advisory issued by the National Weather Service, warning of strong winds and waves up to 12 feet. Rough seas also caused the ship to list slightly, making boarding conditions more dangerous.

Princess Cruises had not released an official statement at press time, though passengers are typically refunded for prepaid excursions when port calls are missed.