USCG Searching for Royal Caribbeans Cruise Ship Passenger

USCG The US authorities are searching for a person that went overboard from the Independence of the Seas cruise ship in Florida waters on December 22, 2016, the US Coast Guard (USCG) informed. The incident occurred some 33 miles southeast of Key Largo, the USCG said, adding that a 22-year-old man was reportedly seen going overboard from the ship’s 12th deck. At the time of the incident, the Independence of the Seas, owned by US-based cruise company Royal Caribbean International, was en route to Port Everglades, according to the vessels AIS data provided by Marine Traffic. The ship had departed Florida on December 16, making a stop in Mexico before returning to America. The USCG said that an Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew, a Coast Guard Station Islamorada boat crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvell crew are assisting in the search. World Maritime News contacted Royal Caribbean for further information on the incident, however, the company is yet to reply.