The line’s 929-passenger ship Braemar was cruising from Santa Cruz, Tenerife to Bridgetown, Barbados when the officer of the watch spotted the drifting yacht on its radar, in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Fred Olsen ship contacted the Nicollet to ensure that all was in order after noticing that the yacht was drifting and that no sails were hoisted.

The yacht confirmed that the steering gear was broken and the sea anchor had been deployed. It had been drifting for 2.5 days‎ and was en route from Las Palmas to Dominica, carrying two passengers and two crew members.
 
The skipper of the sailing yacht asked if the Braemar could take the two passengers onboard and supply material for the necessary repairs to the Nicollet, which the two crew members said they would carry out.
 
Captain Bamberg of the Braemar’s subsequently manoeuvred the ship into position to lower the rescue tender boat, with six crew members aboard.
 
Fred Olsen delivered a supply of wood, a hacksaw, two wooden oars and a box of water to the two crew members remaining aboard the stricken Nicollet, and the two passengers were transferred to the tender boat and taken to Braemar.

‎A full security inspection and medical check was given, but it was confirmed that the two passengers were Polish nationals and in good health.

On December 27, the Braemar continued on her 15-night ’Canaries Christmas & Caribbean New Year’ cruise.
 
Speaking of the rescue operation, captain Robert Bamberg, master of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar, said: "The sea conditions at the scene were very challenging, with three to five metres of swell, so in order to be able to carry out a rescue operation in such circumstances, everyone must know exactly what to do.
 
"We regularly conduct safety drills and practices, but it was great to see such team work, spirit and determination implemented so successfully in a real-life situation.‎"
 
Following the rescue by Fred. Olsen’s Braemar and subsequent repairs, the Nicollet was able to continue her voyage to Dominica.

The line said it was expected that the two passengers from the Nicollet would remain onboard Braemar until Dominica, where they will rejoin the repaired yacht.