Rescue at Sea: Recognizing the M/V Clio Crew

On the night of April 16, our O.A.T. small ship—the M/V Clio—sailing the Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona itinerary, participated in a search and rescue operation off the coast of Almería, Spain, assisting in the safe recovery of 21 individuals, not associated with our travelers or operations, who were stranded at sea.

Upon receiving the emergency call, Captain Marinko Radić and the Clio team acted quickly and with sound judgment. They located a disabled rubber boat approximately 25-30 miles from shore, carrying 21 people, including two young children, who had run out of fuel and were left exposed overnight. Rather than boarding the individuals onto the ship, the Captain made a measured decision to provide shelter and stability alongside the vessel, ensuring their safety while awaiting the arrival of a dedicated rescue ship. The handoff was completed successfully in the early hours of the morning.

The Clio continued its scheduled itinerary without disruption, and our travelers remained well cared for throughout. This balance of responding to a humanitarian situation while maintaining operational integrity is exactly what we expect from our teams in the field.

Captain Radić has been with O.A.T. since 2021 and is consistently recognized by our travelers, earning near-perfect performance scores across the past two years. This moment reflects what those scores have already told us about him: steady leadership, sound decision-making, and a clear sense of responsibility.

O.A.T. CEO Brian FitzGerald echoed these qualities in a message of appreciation for Captain Radić and his crew: “For all of us, this is a reminder of what our associates represent beyond the itinerary,” says Brian. “While our mission is to deliver culturally rich travel experiences, we operate in real environments where professionalism, judgment, and humanity matter. Our crews carry that responsibility every day, often without recognition. In this case, it is worth acknowledging it.”

We have also received formal recognition from Spanish authorities for the crew’s role in the operation, reinforcing that their actions met the highest standards expected at sea.

Captain Radić, had his own words of recognition for his crew: “The greatest reward for all of us is knowing that every person in that boat—passenger and crew—is safe,” he says. “I am incredibly proud of my crew, who acted with professionalism and courage in a critical moment, upholding the high standards of our company.”

Discover why our travelers have high praise for our ship crew during Iberian Voyage: Lisbon to Barcelona.