A 43-year-old crew member of the cruise ship Marella Discovery was medically evacuated on Saturday night while the vessel was anchored in Weymouth Bay on England's south coast. The crew member, whose name was not released, fell ill with suspected meningitis, reports Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station.

The rescue team managed to safely transport the crew member on a rescue boat back to Weymouth Harbour where the patient was handed over into the care of the paramedics.

“Weymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat Ernest and Mabel was launched at 10.53pm on Saturday 21st November to medi-vav a crew member from the cruise ship Marella Discovery anchored in Weymouth Bay. The lifeboat was on scene at 11.12 pm and transferred a 43-year-old crew member from the cruise ship with suspected meningitis onto the lifeboat for transporting back to Weymouth.

The lifeboat arrived back into harbour at 11.45 pm where the casualty was handed over to a waiting ambulance. The lifeboat was then refuelled and made ready for the next shout.” reads Weymouth RNLI report. 

According to the daily newspaper Dorset Echo, a spokesperson for Marella Cruises confirmed the medevac and said the crew member is expected to recover and he is in “good spirits”.

“The crew member was taken to hospital and tested for Covid-19 and meningitis. All tests returned negative and the crew member is in good spirits.” Marella Cruises said.