[cva66snipe]

The age of the person sick doesn't matter and really isn't the issue. The kid could have been traveling with parents on a Merchant ship and the same call would have likely went out. If the parents had been on a Merchant ship no one would be posting about it.

At sea generally the nearest vessel that can respond and give aid is expected to respond. This would be true if it we a Navy ship and a sailor needing medical attention the HM {Medic not an actual doctor} on the ship could not administer. Dehydration would be the most likely concern.

[driftdiver]

It seems these people did prepare properly for such a trip.