On 10 March 2012, en route in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America, three passengers from "Star Princess" spotted a small boat drifting with waving seamen, apparently in distress, and notified the crew. However, "Star Princess" did not change course to investigate. On 19 March, the Ecuadorean coast guard rescued the Panamanian fishing boat "Fifty Cent" with one survivor on board. Subsequent communication between the survivor, a reporter, and the passengers who spotted the survivors led to allegations that the small boat sighted nine days prior was, in fact, the "Fifty Cent", and that "Star Princess" had failed to stop and render aid.