GALVESTON — Crew members aboard the Carnival Legend rescued a sailor and his cat Tuesday night after spotting a vessel in distress in the Gulf of Mexico, according to Carnival Cruise Line.

The cruise ship was en route to Cozumel from Galveston on April 14, when crew members noticed emergency flares coming from a sailboat. A rescue boat was launched, and the sailor and his cat, identified as Dahlia, were brought safely aboard.

Julie Leonardi, senior manager of public relations for Carnival Cruise Line, said the sailor is currently being cared for by the ship’s medical team. No additional details about his condition or how long the vessel had been in distress were immediately available.

KGTX 7 News has reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard, who stated a report was filed for the flare fired and rescue. Coast Guard was not involved in the rescue.