MIAMI, July 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In
collaboration with the Florida Division of Emergency Management
(FDEM), Royal Caribbean Group docked Royal Caribbean
International's Explorer of the Seas today at PortMiami to
provide free housing and support for the tireless efforts of search
and rescue teams working at the Surfside condo collapse.
"I want to thank Royal Caribbean for prioritizing the safety and
well-being of our first responders at the Surfside Building
Collapse," said FDEM Director Kevin
Guthrie. "This resource will ensure our search and rescue
teams have a quiet space to recover their mental and physical
well-being as they work 12-hour shifts."
Explorer will host approximately 600 emergency workers from
around the world, providing a respite from their difficult shifts.
Search and rescue teams — including their dogs — will arrive
in groups of 80 at a time to the ship. Onboard, they will receive
individual staterooms, hot meals, laundry service and WIFI.
"This tragedy in our own backyard is heart-wrenching," said
Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean
Group's chairman and CEO. "Our thoughts are with the families and
our whole community, and our thanks go out to the hardworking
search and rescue teams. Providing them shelter is a small way to
show our support."
In order to accomplish this effort, the Royal Caribbean Group
team and the ship's leadership worked hand-in-hand with the
Governor's office, Miami-Dade
County, FDEM, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and U.S. Customs and Border
Protection to receive the necessary approvals within 24 hours.
"This incredible act of kindness and generosity from our friends
at Royal Caribbean is deeply appreciated by our entire community.
Over the past nine days, our first responders have been working
under dangerous, stressful conditions to move our Search and Rescue
mission forward through so many unprecedented challenges. These
accommodations will provide them with a much-needed respite and
opportunity to rest and recharge for their next shift and are yet
another example of how our local and global community has come
together in the aftermath of tragedy," Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
"It's been truly incredible. Our people have worked very hard to
get everything organized and coordinated, in just a matter of
hours, to be able to house so many workers," said Fain. "We are
here for our community – all of us."
Explorer of the Seas began housing rescue teams
yesterday and likely will continue for the next month. The
ship will be docked at Terminal F at PortMiami.
About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean
Group is the operating business name for Royal Caribbean
Cruises Ltd. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner and operator of
three global cruise vacation brands: Royal Caribbean International,
Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. Royal Caribbean
Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI
Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, the brands operate 59
ships with an additional 15 on order as of March 15, 2021. Learn more at
www.royalcaribbeangroup.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/florida-governor-desantis-royal-caribbean-group-work-together-to-provide-shelter-to-surfside-search-rescue-teams-301325111.html
SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group