Four lives saved by a lifeboat from a distressed boat taking on water in the Gulf of Mexico

Passengers on a Texas-to-Mexico cruise erupted in cheers after crew members rescued four people from a boat in distress in the Gulf – the second such rescue involving a Caribbean vessel in as many days, according to reports.

The Regal Princess was en route from Galveston to Cozumel on Monday, Feb. 23, when members of the group responded to the tragedy that was engulfed by a small boat with four people on board.

“Regal Princess responded to a small vessel in distress and safely rescued four people from the sea,” the cruise line said in a statement shared with multiple media outlets.

“All four were brought on board and examined by the ship’s medical team,” it continued.

“Their safety and well-being is our top priority.”

Photos shared on social media showed what appeared to be four men on board a small rusty boat made of metal and wood, according to people.

A white sheet or tarp could be seen blowing in the wind as passengers threw water from the ship into the surrounding sea, according to a post shared online.

CRUISE SHIP BOUND AROUND THE SEA IS RESCUED BY A US COAST GUARD VESSEL

Fox News Digital reached out to Princess Cruises for comment along with passengers.

Some sailors said they noticed something unusual when their ship began to change course.

The passengers said their vessel changed course (not pictured) before rescuing four people from a makeshift boat that was taking on water. (Alfredo Martinez/Getty Images)

“We knew something was going on because the boat started to turn,” passenger Melody Almogabar Barr told the Houston Chronicle.

When the ship’s captain announced the rescue was a success, people inside the packed theater began to cheer, Barr said.

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“It is clear that this ship has passengers who care about the welfare of others, and we are grateful to be a part of that,” he told the media.

Princess Cruises said the rescued people will be transported to the ship’s next port, where they will be received by local authorities and support services.

The ship had left Galveston, Texas, on February 22nd – and was due to return on March 1st. (Stock)

“In accordance with international obligations at sea, people rescued at sea are taken care of and taken to the next scheduled stop of the ship,” the ship’s statement said.

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Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, ships are required to render assistance to anyone found at sea in distress, as long as doing so does not cause serious danger to the rescue vessel.

The law applies regardless of nationality or circumstances.

Ships are required to render assistance to anyone found at sea in distress, provided that doing so does not cause serious danger to the rescue vessel.

“Princess Cruises extends its gratitude to the captain and crew of Regal Princess for their prompt response, intelligence and unwavering commitment to safety,” the statement said.

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“Their actions reflect a long-standing maritime tradition and commitment to helping those in distress at sea.”

The ship left Galveston Feb. 22 seven-day Western Caribbean cruise, according to CruiseMapper.

The trip included stops in Cozumel, Mexico, followed by Roatan Island in Honduras; the ship was due to return to Texas on March 1.

The rescue was the second in less than a week involving a Mexico-bound cruise ship assisting a small vessel in distress. (Stock)

The rescue comes amid other recent incidents in the region.

On the night of February 16, a Carnival Cruise Line ship – also en route to Cozumel – rescued another “small vessel in distress,” according to reports.

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The Carnival Celebration cruise ship landed five people safely as their makeshift boat reportedly began to take on water, Carnival Cruise Line told multiple outlets.

The US Coast Guard was notified and provided guidance during the rescue – and the ship continued its seven-day voyage without incident.

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