A Carnival Cruise passenger who was last seen at an onboard bar was pulled from the Gulf of Mexico alive and responsive after a massive overnight search, U.S. Coast Guard officials said Friday.
The 28-year-old missing man was rescued Thursday afternoon by the Coast Guard, a spokesman told CNN. He was and transferred to the New Orleans Lakefront Airport to receive treatment from emergency medical personnel and was in stable condition, the Coast Guard said Friday.
His sister had reported him missing to the crew of the Carnival Valor, saying she last saw him at a bar Wednesday night but lost track of him after he went to the bathroom around 11 p.m.
The crew searched the ship but were unsuccessful, and guests were informed of a man overboard incident.
A Carnival spokesperson said the ship retraced its route in a bid to find the missing guest. Soon after, the Coast Guard joined the air-and-sea search 200 miles into the Gulf.
The passenger was ultimately spotted, and a Coast Guard helicopter hoisted him out of the ocean and transported him to safety.
Officials believe the man spent at least 15 hours in the water, where the overnight temperature was about 70 degrees, the Coast Guard said.
“We greatly appreciate the efforts of all, most especially the U.S. Coast Guard and the mariner who spotted the guest in the water,” Carnival Cruise said in a statement.
The Carnival Valor has since been released by the Coast Guard and was again sailing toward its destination of Cozumel, Mexico. It left New Orleans on Wednesday.
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