Royal Caribbean pianist rescued after nine hours in Pacific Ocean

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 19:16 · Archive

A Royal Caribbean pianist was rescued after spending nearly nine hours treading water 20 miles off the California coast.

A pianist employed by Royal Caribbean was rescued Friday after spending nearly nine hours treading water in the Pacific Ocean approximately 20 miles off the California coast. Two Newport Beach fishermen, Sean Norton and Grant Garrett, spotted the man around noon while returning from a morning of marlin fishing near Catalina Island. The boat's captain saw him in the water, and the crew immediately pulled him aboard.

The man, who told the fishermen he was a pianist on the 14-deck Ovation of the Seas, was in 'total shock' when rescued. 'The only thing he said to me was, "Thank you. I thought I was gonna die,"' Norton said. Officials believe he may have gone overboard approximately nine hours before being found. After pulling him from the water, the fishermen sent out an emergency maritime call, and Newport Beach lifeguards responded to assist.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement acknowledging the incident: 'We are providing support and assistance to our crew member during this difficult time. To respect the privacy of our employee, we have no additional details to share.' The crew member's name has not been released by authorities or the cruise line.

How it is being reported

• Cruise ship employee found by fishermen treading water 20 miles off the California coastThe rescued man is a pianist on Royal Caribbean’s 14-deck Ovation of the Seas shipIndependent World · 8 Nov, 18:54
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship pianist plunges overboard 20 miles off California coastTwo Southern California fishermen spotted the man while returning from a fishing trip Friday.New York Post · 8 Nov, 18:21

In this story: Royal Caribbean · Ovation of the Seas · Sean Norton · Grant Garrett · California · Newport Beach · Catalina Island

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log