Fishermen Rescue Royal Caribbean Crew Member After Going Overboard

Three fishermen spotted a man floating on his back in the ocean about 20 miles offshore near Catalina Island on Friday, according to reports from KABC and 6abc.com.

The man, identified by Royal Caribbean as a crew member, had gone overboard from a cruise ship that was traveling from San Pedro toward Ensenada. While the man was conscious and breathing when pulled from the water, fishermen told reporters he appeared to be depleted of energy by the time he was brought aboard their vessel.

The U.S. Coast Guard received notification of the incident from a good Samaritan who reported recovering a conscious individual approximately 9 nautical miles northeast of Avalon Harbor.

Newport Beach lifeguards met the fishermen following the rescue and transported the man back to the shoreline. Once on land, he was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation, according to city officials.

Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding the circumstances that led to the crew member going overboard. It remains unknown how long the man was in the water before the fishermen located him.

The man’s current medical condition has not been disclosed by officials or the cruise line. Royal Caribbean addressed the incident in a statement, saying, “We are providing support and assistance to our crew member during this difficult time.”

The cruise ship’s departure from San Pedro on Friday preceded the emergency, though the exact timing of the man entering the water has not been established by investigators.