Search Is Halted for Passenger Who Fell Overboard From Cruise Ship
The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Thursday that it had ceased an extensive search for a passenger who fell overboard from a cruise ship while it was navigating near Cuba. The 77-year-old woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, was on board the Holland America Line cruise ship Nieuw Statendam when she went overboard around 3 a.m. Thursday, approximately 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba, according to the Coast Guard. “We are profoundly saddened to confirm that while traversing waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today,” Holland America Line stated in a separate announcement. A representative from the cruise line indicated that the woman fell into the water in the morning. “The captain and crew commenced search-and-rescue protocols and coordinated closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, which dispatched a cutter and helicopter to assist,” the cruise line reported. The Coast Guard said it had sent out the cutter William Trump, along with helicopters from its air station in Clearwater, Florida, to locate the woman. The search spanned over 690 square miles, as indicated by the Coast Guard. “Following 15 hours of searching, the operation was suspended at dusk,” the cruise line mentioned. The company did not provide more information regarding the woman, the circumstances of her fall, or her deck location. Due to the search operation, a scheduled port stop in Key West, Florida, that was planned for Friday was called off. “Our family assistance team is providing support to the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the guest during this challenging period,” the cruise line expressed. The Nieuw Statendam set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 27 for a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, according to Holland America Line. The vessel, which has been operational since 2018, visits the Bahamas as well as Mexico, as per the cruise line. It measures 975 feet in length and nearly 115 feet in width, accommodating over 2,600 passengers.
Published: 2026-01-02 15:40:00
source: www.nytimes.com
