Royal Caribbean Crew Member Rescued After Nine Hours Adrift in Pacific Ocean
A Royal Caribbean cruise ship employee, identified as a pianist on the 'Ovation of the Seas,' was rescued by two Newport Beach fishermen after spending approximately nine hours treading water in the Pacific Ocean. The incident occurred near Catalina Island, with the man found nearly 20 miles offshore. Fishermen Sean Norton and Grant Garrett spotted the individual while returning from a fishing trip and pulled him aboard their boat. The rescued man, who remains unidentified, informed his rescuers that he was a pianist on the Royal Caribbean vessel. Following his rescue, an emergency maritime call was placed, and Newport Beach lifeguards responded. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the man was hospitalized and is expected to survive. The Coast Guard has initiated an investigation into how the crew member went overboard from the ship, which was en route to Ensenada, Mexico, from Long Beach.
