Pianist Rescued After Newport Beach Fishermen Find Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Employee Treading Water 20 Miles Off Coast
A sighting offshore
They pulled the man from the water. Garrett said the man came to and identified himself as a pianist on Royal Caribbean’s 14-deck Ovation of the Seas.
Lifeguards respond
After the rescue, the crew sent an emergency maritime call. Newport Beach lifeguards responded to assist. Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda placed the location about 15 to 20 miles offshore, describing it as nearly the middle of the ocean. Officials believe the employee may have gone overboard around nine hours before he was found.
Water temperature noted
Norton said the employee was probably in the water for about 10 hours and noted that the temperature was 76 degrees. He said survival might not have been possible in a different year.
Norton also referred to a “super El Niño year” when discussing the conditions. The article does not identify the employee by name.
Key points
- Two Newport Beach fishermen rescued a cruise ship employee near Catalina Island on Friday.
- The man said he was a pianist aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.
- Officials estimate he may have been overboard for about nine hours before being found.
- The water temperature was reported as 76 degrees.