According to WAVY.com, on October 29, 2011, the Norwegian Gem cruise ship responded to a distress signal initiated by a disabled sailboat which had lost power and was taking on water.  The sailboat was 256 miles northeast of Bermuda, and it would have taken days for a Coast Guard cutter to respond from the U.S. 

The Coast Guard sent a C-130 aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina and coordinated the arrival of the NCL cruise ship which was in the area.  

The Norwegian Gem deployed a lifeboat which the NCL crew tethered to the sailboat which had five sailors aboard.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eirpL35Ki40%3Frel%3D0

Video Credit:  WAVY.com