Many scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean were shot on small islands, with some exterior shots filmed in the Caribbean region.
However, quite a few members of the crew got seasick, including lead actress Keira Knightley.
Because of this, the line producer specially prepared anti-nausea medication for everyone, so the crew members could feel better and perform at their best.
But after taking the medication, Keira Knightley felt as if she had taken a sleeping pill she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
When they arrived at the location, Gilbert asked, "Is Keira still asleep?"
"Yes, Director, we've tried waking her several times, but she hasn't responded," an assistant director replied.
Gilbert was speechless. He shook his head and said, "Let her sleep for now. We'll shoot other scenes first."
Perhaps realizing that taking anti-nausea meds made her sleep too deeply and delayed the shoot, Keira Knightley later sincerely apologized to Gilbert.
After that, she insisted on not taking the medication again. Though seasickness and vomiting weren't elegant, it was better than delaying work.
But an unexpected incident still occurred. One night, the crew was filming a nighttime scene on the island. After the shoot wrapped, they started heading back.
Filming had been exhausting. Keira Knightley, supported by her assistant, boarded a small boat and slumped into her seat to rest. Not long after, she fell asleep.
The boat sailed steadily at first, but the reefs visible during the day were hidden at night.
Since no one studied the nautical charts carefully and couldn't identify the reef zones, the staff member piloting the boat drove straight into a reef.
"Oh no, we've hit a reef!"
"Ah! My leg! My leg is broken!"
"The left side's leaking! We can't plug it the boat's going to sink!"
"Call for help fast! We can't hold out much longer!"
Keira Knightley was startled awake by the loud impact and immediately asked her assistant, "What's going on?"
Her assistant's face was pale as she panicked and said, "We've hit a reef the boat is going to sink!"
"What?" Keira was shocked and also started to panic. "What do we do now? What do we do?"
The staff on board were trying to find solutions, but the breach was too big to plug. They could only slow the sinking process. Nearby small boats noticed the emergency and rushed over to help.
However, due to whirlpools caused by the sinking boat and hidden reefs nearby, they couldn't get close right away.
Keira Knightley felt completely hopeless. Was she going to die at sea before even becoming famous? She suddenly felt like crying.
Her assistant hugged her tightly, and the two of them watched in despair as the boat sank inch by inch. The staff guided them from the cabin to the deck, and from the deck to the top of the boat.
Just as things were turning critical, one brave boat couldn't wait any longer. It risked navigating the reef zone and approached the sinking boat.
Everyone on the sinking boat, including Keira Knightley, cheered it seemed like rescue was finally here.
But that brave boat also encountered trouble. About 80 meters away from the sinking one, it hit a reef too. Fortunately, its hull wasn't seriously damaged and it wasn't in danger of sinking.
Seeing what happened to the brave rescue boat, the remaining vessels didn't dare to move rashly, fearing their own boats would strike reefs too.
Still, they couldn't abandon the rescue. Farther away, Gilbert's boat rushed over upon hearing the news.
Charles Roven quickly contacted the shore, requesting three rescue helicopters to be dispatched immediately. He also contacted the safety officer to urgently formulate a rescue plan.
Luckily, the boat was sinking slowly so far, only the cabin had flooded. And since the seabed here sloped gently, those on board could hold out for about an hour.
This section of sea quickly became busy. Nearby vessels from the Mexican Maritime Authority heard the news and dispatched rescue ships to assist.
The safety officer and local maritime guides reviewed the nautical charts, confirmed the locations of reefs, and mapped out a safe route for rescue boats to follow.
"Director, the rescue helicopters have arrived," the assistant director reported.
Hearing the whir of helicopter blades overhead, Gilbert immediately ordered, "Get Keira Knightley out first. Load as many people as you can injured crew have priority."
"Yes, sir…" The assistant director quickly went to coordinate with the rescue helicopters.
Three helicopters arrived at the scene, lowering ropes and rescue baskets. The crew on the ship had already received the news, and with the rescue plan in motion, they didn't panic.
"Miss Knightley, please board the helicopter first," said a crew member in a managerial position. "This is the director's instruction."
"What about you all?" Keira Knightley felt a little embarrassed. After all, if she left first, what would happen to the others?
"It's fine. The rescue plan has been laid out and will be carried out shortly. We'll be alright," said a staff member in charge of communications.
Since that was the case, Keira Knightley didn't insist.
At such a critical moment, it wasn't the time for courtesy. Besides, as a woman without special skills, she couldn't offer much help by staying. So she boarded the helicopter first.
After Keira Knightley went up, the lead staff member said again, "Let the remaining injured board the helicopters next. We'll wait here."
Several injured people were quickly brought aboard. The three helicopters flew toward the shore and would return shortly.
But at most, they could make one more trip before the ship sank. By then, everyone would be in the water.
Charles Roven communicated with the security chief: "So? Have you found a route?"
"We've coordinated with the Mexican Maritime Authority. This route, and this one, both allow access," said the security chief, pointing to the chart.
A guide nearby suggested, "For those who can swim, I recommend heading toward that grounded ship over there. It's safer."
"Good idea," Charles Roven agreed. "Make it happen quickly."
With the rescue plan in place, everyone sprang into action. Two ships were assigned missions. Onboard, a supervisor gathered the crew: "Ladies and gentlemen, we're going in for the rescue. We're going to get everyone out.
But before that, I ask all the ladies to transfer to other ships first, to avoid accidents.
On a voluntary basis, I need some brave volunteers. The director said those who sign up will receive a bonus."
Where there's a heavy reward, there are brave people.
Soon, volunteers stepped forward to join the rescue. The two ships were ready and, following the planned routes, cautiously approached the distressed vessel.
Meanwhile, on the damaged ship, several staff members with strong swimming skills jumped into the sea and swam toward the nearby grounded rescue ship.
That ship was lucky it didn't sink, and its position was relatively safe. At that point, the crew had already been transferred to other vessels.
By around 2 a.m., finally, at the last moment before the distressed ship sank, the crew onboard were rescued by the two ships that had taken the risk.
This terrifying night, though leaving a few staff injured, ended without any fatalities. Everyone else was safe, though deeply shaken.
Given the incident, Gilbert granted the crew two days off to recuperate. Charles Roven, together with the security chief, launched an investigation, which ultimately concluded it was an accident.
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