The NSW Police Force Marine Area Command has concluded the largest maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour to coordinate the crew movements and departure of five cruise ships.
‘Operation Nemesis’, planned and executed by the NSW Police Marine Area Command, worked closely with the NSW Ports Authority and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to coordinate the safe return of the ships to their home ports.
Following the departure of the Spectrum of the Seas and the Radiance of the Seas yesterday (Saturday 4 April 2020) afternoon, the three remaining Royal Caribbean ships were also anchored in the harbour during the course of Saturday evening and the early hours of this morning (Sunday 5 April 2020).
The Voyager of the Seas was the first of the final three vessels to leave NSW waters departing about 8pm (Saturday 4 April 2020) to return to an international port. It was followed by the Ovation of the Seas about midnight (Sunday 5 April 2020) and the Celebrity Solstice about 1.45am.
In total more than 1300 crew members, who were Foreign Nationals, were moved between the five ships in numerous tender operations, before the ships departed NSW waters to return to their home countries.
Five Australian crew members elected to remain on the ships and continue to international ports.