VIDEO: Heroes Talk About Saving Jet-Skiers From Being Run Over By 130,000 Ton Cruise Ship

By  //  March 14, 2017

Carnival Magic is 130,000-ton, 1,004-foot cruise ship

ABOVE VIDEO: Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Tanner Primmer and Port Canaveral Pilot Capt. Doug Brown reflect on Saturday’s dramatic rescue of two teen girls in danger of being run over by 130,000-ton cruise ship in Port Canaveral’s navigation channel.

ABOVE VIDEO: Quick action by a Port Canaveral harbor pilot and a Brevard County Marine Unit Deputy saved two boaters operating a personal water craft in Port Canaveral on Saturday afternoon, March 11, from possible serious injury or worse. (Anthony Miglioranzi video)

BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Quick action by a Port Canaveral harbor pilot and a Brevard County Marine Unit Deputy saved two boaters operating a personal water craft in Port Canaveral on Saturday afternoon, March 11, from possible serious injury or worse.

Capt. Doug Brown was the pilot navigating the Carnival Magic out of the port when he noticed a personal water craft being operated within the navigation channel in the vicinity of the jetties.

The Carnival Magic is a 130,000-ton, 1,004-foot cruise ship sailing seven day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral.

Capt. Brown alerted Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Taner Primmer who was on duty in the harbor operating a Sheriff’s Marine Unit patrol boat in support of the cruise ship departures.

Deputy Primmer made his way towards the boaters and was on scene when a series of events led the boaters to be in harm’s way of the cruise ship’s progress in the channel.

Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Taner Primmer saved two people who fell off their water craft as the bow of the Carnival Magic bore down on their position in the navigation channel at Port Canaveral. (YouTube video image)

One of the boaters fell off the water craft and when an attempt was made to re-board, the water craft flipped and both boaters ended up in the water in extremely close proximity to the bow of the ship now bearing down on their position.

The jet-skiers were identified by BCSO as 19-year-old Skylar Penpasuglia and 20-year-old Allison Garrett, both of Princeton, West Virginia, who were enjoying Spring Break on the Space Coast.

Capt. Doug Brown
Deputy Tanner Primmer

Capt. Brown, working with the Captain and bridge team of the Carnival Magic, maneuvered the vessel away from the boaters while Deputy Primmer pulled both boaters aboard his patrol vessel and out of harm’s way.

Great job to Capt. Brown, the Captain and bridge team of the Carnival Magic, and Deputy Primmer for their outstanding actions that resulted in the rescue of these boaters.

This incident highlights the dedication to safety at Port Canaveral as a result of the close cooperation between the Canaveral Pilots Association and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

“I could not be more proud of the actions of Deputy Tanner Primmer, a member of our SeaPort Security Marine Unit who placed his life in peril without hesitation to rescue the Port visitors, and the Port Canaveral Harbor Pilot Capt. Doug Brown who not only maintained communication with Deputy Primmer, but was able to safely veer the ship, which provided Deputy Primmer the extra seconds needed to save the young girls,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

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Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Tanner Primmer and Port Canaveral Pilot Capt. Doug Brown reflect on Saturday’s dramatic rescue of two teen girls in danger of being run over by 130,000-ton cruise ship in Port Canaveral’s navigation channel.
Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Taner Primmer saved two people who fell off their water craft as the bow of the Carnival Magic bore down on their position in the navigation channel at Port Canaveral. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Taner Primmer saved two people who fell off their water craft as the bow of the Carnival Magic bore down on their position in the navigation channel at Port Canaveral. (Image for Space Coast Daily)