A pianist employed aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is recovering in a hospital after surviving roughly nine hours treading water miles off the coast of Southern California. The unexpected rescue occurred on Friday afternoon in the Pacific Ocean.
Two fishermen, Sean Norton and Grant Garrett, were returning from a marlin fishing trip near Catalina Island when they spotted the stranded man approximately 15 to 20 miles offshore. Recognizing the person in the water, the crew halted their boat, pulled in their lines, and successfully brought the unidentified crew member aboard around noon.
According to the rescuers, the man identified himself as a pianist from the 14-deck Royal Caribbean vessel Ovation of the Seas. "The only thing he said to me was, ‘Thank you. I thought I was gonna die,'" Norton recounted.
Following the rescue, the fishing crew placed an emergency maritime call that brought Newport Beach lifeguards to their aid. Rescuers and observers noted that unusually warm Pacific water temperatures—around 76°F due to El Niño conditions—likely contributed to the man's survival during his extended time at sea.
The US Coast Guard is currently investigating how the crew member went overboard from the ship. Royal Caribbean Group stated that it is cooperating with authorities and providing support and assistance to the employee.
