A cruise ship carrying descendants of some of the people who died on the Titanic was delayed to allow an ill passenger to be airlifted to the Irish mainland, the operator said.
BBC cameraman Tim Rex, 56, was taken off the boat as a medical precaution after becoming seriously ill, the broadcaster said.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirmed that the ship had returned to within 20 nautical miles of the Irish coast to allow Rex, whose condition is not reported to be life threatening, to be taken by helicopter for medical treatment.
"A guest has been taken ill on board the Titanic Memorial Cruise taking place on the Fred. Olsen cruise ship Balmoral," said a statement.
The rescue operation was undertaken with assistance from the Irish coastguard.
The ship resumed its journey following the operation, and is expected to arrive at the site of the Titanic's sinking in time for memorial services at the weekend.
The ship began its journey from Southampton to New York on Sunday and has endured rough weather after making a scheduled stop in the port of Cobh in Ireland late on Monday.
The Titanic Memorial Cruise is carrying 1,309 passengers, the same number as were on the White Star ship.
Many turned up to board the MS Balmoral in period Edwardian costumes, with some as first class passengers, others as steerage travellers and some as crew.
As part of the 12-night voyage, the cruise will also stop at the location in the Atlantic Ocean where the original ship hit an iceberg and sank on April 15, 1912, and those on board will hold a memorial service.
Source: AFP Global Edition
