Coast Guard Suspends Search For Royal Caribbean Crew Member

HILLSBORO BEACH, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday suspended a search off the Florida coast for a Royal Caribbean crew member, who went overboard from the Majesty of the Seas cruise ship. The search was focused on an area 37 miles east of Hillsboro Inlet, which is about 40 miles north of Miami.

“We’ve been in contact with the crew member’s family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them,” said Cmdr. Jason Aleksak, Sector Miami chief of response. “Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly.”

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The 26-year-old Royal Caribbean crew member was reported missing on Thursday. Coast Guard crews covered 1,388 square miles over a 24-hour period before suspending the search around 7:20 a.m. Friday.

"Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Miami received call from the crew of the Majesty of the Seas cruise ship stating a 26-year-old crew member went overboard," Coast Guard officials said.

The search team included the Coast Guard Cutter Paul Clark, an Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano