Pianist survives nine hours in water after falling from Royal Caribbean ship
Two local fishermen pulled the man from the Pacific Ocean 20 miles offshore, where he was found in shock.
By Giulia Marshall ·
A cruise ship pianist survived a nine hour stretch in the Pacific Ocean after two Southern California fishermen pulled him from the water off the Catalina Island coast. The man was found in shock on Friday, Nov. 6, roughly 20 miles from the mainland.
Sean Norton and Grant Garrett were returning from a fishing trip when their captain spotted a person in the water. The crew stopped the boat, reeled in their lines, and hauled the man aboard. He told the fishermen he worked on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas.
The fishing crew issued an emergency maritime call that brought Newport Beach lifeguards to the scene. Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda confirmed the rescue location was 15 to 20 miles offshore. The island itself sits about 22 miles from the Los Angeles County coastline.
The U.S. Coast Guard transported the man to a hospital, where doctors expect him to survive. Royal Caribbean Group confirmed the incident and said it is providing support and assistance to the crew member.
The Coast Guard is investigating how the man entered the water. The circumstances surrounding the fall remained unclear as of the latest reports.
