Additional Coverage:
- Coast Guard suspends search for 77-year-old woman who went overboard from Holland America Line cruise ship (foxnews.com)
Coast Guard Halts Search for Missing Cruise Passenger Near Cuba
Miami, FL – The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 77-year-old woman who reportedly went overboard from a Holland America Line cruise ship, the Nieuw Statendam, on New Year’s Day. The incident occurred approximately 40 miles northeast of Cuba’s Sabana-Camagüey archipelago.
Authorities confirmed the suspension of search efforts on Thursday, pending any new information that may arise. The unidentified passenger vanished while the ship was sailing in waters north of Cuba.
“The USCG suspended its searches for a missing 77-year-old woman who went overboard the cruise ship, Nieuw Statendam, Thurs., pending the development of new information,” the agency stated on X.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast, cruise ship personnel and USCG crews conducted an extensive search for approximately eight hours, covering an area of 690 square miles. The search involved the Coast Guard cutter William Trump and MH-60 helicopter crews from Air Station Clearwater.
Holland America Line expressed deep sorrow regarding the incident. “We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today,” the cruise line stated in a release.
“The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, which deployed a cutter and helicopter to assist.”
The cruise line confirmed that search efforts were suspended at sundown on the day of the incident. Their family assistance team is currently supporting the guest’s family. As a direct consequence of the search operation, the ship’s scheduled call to Key West, Florida, on January 2nd, was canceled.
The Nieuw Statendam, capable of accommodating around 2,700 guests, had departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 27th. Its itinerary included stops in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic before the unfortunate event occurred while it was en route to Key West.