Search efforts are currently underway for a 20-year-old man who reportedly 'jumped off' a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
On Thursday (April 4) at around 4:00am, the unidentified man ‘jumped out of the window’ of Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas as it sailed between Cuba and the Bahamas' Grand Inagua Island.
The cruise line immediately leaped into action and began a search and rescue mission.
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In a statement to the New York Post, Royal Caribbean said: “The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who has taken over the search.
“Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”
Passengers onboard the 18-storey ship at the time of the incident have since recalled what happened, painting a tragic story for the family of the young man.
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Bryan Sims told the New York Post that he was with the 20-year-old and his brother just moments before.
He said: “I had hung out with him and his brother in the hot tub until 3:30.
“It was standing room only. He sat right beside me the whole time.”
“He was pretty drunk,” Sims continued.
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“As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess.”
“When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now’. And he jumped out the window in front of us all.”
He went on to describe the experience as 'surreal'.
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Another passenger, Deborah Morrison, added: “There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately.
“His family was horrified. Just beside themselves. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through.”
Amy Phelps, who was also onboard the cruise ship, said: “The early morning was definitely somber as so many people came out of their cabins to stare at the sea, hoping to be able to aid in finding the person.
“Royal Caribbean has been excellent at communicating updates throughout the day.
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“They have asked that people act with compassion in light of the tragic situation.”
According to the Washington Post, approximately 386 people have been reported to have gone overboard on the cruise lines in the last two decades.
UNILAD has previously contacted Royal Caribbean and the Coast Guard for comment.
Britt Jones