Previous Page | Next Page
Its happened again aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise liner. Another American has
gone missing, this time 22 year old Elizabeth Kay Galeana. Elizabeth Kay Galeana, is the daughter of a wealthy Naples automotive magnate who has been missing for three days from a cruise ship that was traveling the Mediterranean Sea.
Elizabeth Kay Galeana, who attended Gulf Coast High School as a senior in 2000 and whose family owns Galeana Automotive Group based in Fort Myers, was aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Voyager of the Seas with several members of her extended family when she went missing.
She was last seen at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday when she went to sleep in her parents’ stateroom. She was discovered missing at 7:30 a.m. by her sister while the cruise ship was sailing from Civitavecchia, Rome, Italy to Naples, Italy, according to officials with Royal Caribbean International.
The ship was about 100 miles off the coast of Italy at the time. Royal Caribbean notified the U.S. and Italian Coast Guards, the FBI, the U.S. Consulate in Naples (Italy), and the Naples (Italy) police, cruise line officials said in a prepared statement Friday. The Naples (Italy) police conducted an investigation and the Italian Coast Guard conducted air and sea searches, according to the cruise line.
She is added to a recent rash of people who have gone missing aboard Royal Caribbean.
Elizabeth is the fourth person to go missing from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship since July 2005. George Allen Smith IV, 26, of Greenwich, Conn., disappeared during his honeymoon cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas on July 5, 2005. Blood stains were found on a canopy that covers life boats, but his body was never found. Daniel DiPiero, 21, of Canfield, Ohio, went missing from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship that was cruising the Bahamas on May 16. Videos of the ship show a man who looked like DiPiero leaning against the rails. The search for him was called off May 17. Canadian Jill Begora, 59, was last seen by her husband on Dec. 5, 2005, as the Royal Caribbean cruise ship they were aboard approached the port of Nassau in the Bahamas. A search by a U.S. Coast Guard ship and the Bahamian Navy found no trace of her.
Read the full story at Bonita News.
Relatives: Fla. Woman Missing From Cruise
Authorities are investigating the disappearance of a Florida woman from a cruise ship sailing along the coast of Italy, relatives say. Family members identified the woman as Elizabeth Kay Galeana, 22, of Naples, Fla., reporting missing Tuesday from Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas.
(Forbes)
UPDATE: Family heads back to U.S. without heiress. Search continues as Galeanas’ trip ends
The Galeana family was expected to return to the United States late Saturday, but auto heiress Elizabeth Kay Galeana is still missing.
The Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas cruise ship docked at a Barcelona, Spain, port early Saturday, ending its Mediterranean round, according to a Royal Caribbean spokesman.
Royal Caribbean’s statement:
According to a Royal Caribbean statement, she was reported missing by her sister seven hours later.
A variety of onboard announcements and searches were immediately carried out without success, Sierra-Caro said
Royal Caribbean notified the U.S. and Italian Coast Guards, the FBI, the U.S. Consulate in Naples and the Naples police. The Naples police conducted an investigation, and the Italian Coast Guard conducted air and sea searches.
Sierra-Caro said Royal Caribbean is supporting the investigation in numerous ways, including collecting on-board records, videotapes and statements, and preserving staterooms for investigators. A senior Royal Caribbean executive and a company Guest Care Team joined the ship to further assist Galeana’s family, she said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with this woman and her family,” said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International.
(The News Press – Fort Meyers)
July 29th, 2006 at 04:47pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, Elizabeth Kay Galeana, Missing, Missing Adult |
10 comments
Jennifer Hagel-Smith lashed out this week as the misguided anger that the family of missing honeymooner, George Smith. George Smith’s family has many questions of Jennifer, namely what is she hiding by settling with Royal Caribbean so soon.
“The quick settlement is concerning,” said Bree Smith, in an exclusive interview with the Green-wich Citizen. “We feel comfortable in saying that in our opinion, she is hiding something.” Added Rivkind
Bree Smith, George Smith’s sister, found many of Jennifer Hagel-Smith’s actions and comments rather strange.
“Jennifer said several times in our house, before we cut off contact with her last October, that she did not want to be deposed in a civil or criminal suit,” Bree Smith said.
“I thought that was a strange statement to make. Why wouldn’t she want to testify, to help bring to justice the people who murdered my brother? It is suspicious, in my opinion.”
The circumstances in how George Smith disappeared is bizarre. We all now the many actions of those involved that are less than normal behavior that one would do aboard a cruise ship, let alone the actions that the cruise line took following the disappearance. What we find most disappointing and strange is Jeniffer Hagel-Smith’s 180 degree turn in dealing with the Royal Caribbean and her statements .
In Hagel-Smith’s press release, she also praised “the cruise line president and leaders who heard our voices and began this civilized, informative, and productive dialogue.”
This marked a sharp contrast to Hagel-Smith’s previous claims that she had been “thrown off” the Brilliance of the Seas after George Smith disappeared, and left to fend for herself in Turkey without financial resources or assistance.
(Greenwich Citizen)
July 15th, 2006 at 08:07pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, George Allen Smith IV, Jennifer Hagel Smith, Missing, Missing Adult |
9 comments
The minute Jennifer Hagel Smith signed her name to the Royal Caribbean Cruise 
settlement; we were waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was only a matter of time before the family of missing honeymooner, George Allen Smith IV, went ballistic and after Jennifer Hagel. Personally, I do not blame them one bit. The once united Smith & Hagel family vs. Royal Caribbean cruise lines is over. Although it would appear that the Smith family may have had their suspicions regarding Jennifer Hagel as to what she may have known regarding their son’s disappearance; Jennifer’s actions of settling all but sealed the deal for this family feud to erupt.
They mourned together and shared anger at how Royal Caribbean responded after George Allen Smith IV disappeared in the Mediterranean last July after a night of heavy drinking. They sat together at a congressional hearing last year as they lobbied for changes in how cruise lines report suspected crimes at sea.
But quietly behind the scenes, Smith’s family harbored doubts about his widow, Jennifer Hagel Smith. Those doubts grew into suspicions that erupted after Hagel Smith reached a settlement with Royal Caribbean two weeks ago while Smith’s family sued the cruise line.
(Boston Globe)
The parents of George Allen Smith IV and his sister Bree Smith have been extremely skeptical of Jennifer Hagel Smith. Hagel was found passed out on a floor far from the couple’s cabin, says she has no recollection of what happened to her honeymoon husband. It was suggested that Hagel may have been drugged as to the reason why she was found in the manner she was.
“She’s definitely hiding something,” said Smith’s sister, Bree. “It’s not clear to us whether Jennifer is hiding behavior that is just embarrassing or of some greater importance to the investigation. We have reported all such behavior to the FBI as it occurred.”
The Smith family plans to depose Jennifer Hagel Smith in their law suit. The Smith family claims that they broke off communication with Hagel Smith last fall after she indicated she did not want to be deposed in a civil or criminal case.
What is truly most puzzling, sad and bizarre is the fact that Jennifer Hagel Smith agreed to a settlement with Royal Caribbean. This after she sat with the family of George Smith through out the Congressional proceedings in an attempt to enact change for how the cruise lines deal with crimes aboard their ships. One of the problems with the untold crimes that go unreported and that actually are committed is all too often their is a settlement and the crime is swept under the run in a shroud of confidentiality.
The parents of George Allen Smith and his sister Bree have been resolute in their fight against Royal Caribbean. The Smith family wants answers, not money. The beauty of the Smith family is that they have same strong qualities as Beth Twitty and Dave Holloway, who have fought to find answer to their daughter’s disappearance in Aruba. The Smith’s show the fight and determination that they want answers and they want change. Settlement does seem to be an option for this family. They are not going to let the cruise line off the hook so easily. Maureen Smith put everyone on notice last summer when she stated, “My son’s life is not going to be in vain.”
“We have truth on our side,” Mrs Smith says firmly. “My son’s life is not going to be in vain.”
That is what makes what Jennifer Hagel Smith did all that horrific. How long was she 
actually married to George in that she would up in settle with the enemy vs. providing a united front with the Smith’s against Royal Caribbean. What was she really in this for? What did she want her husbands legacy to be? Money? Why would she have not honored her husband George Smith’s memory with the truth of what happened to him and laws which will dictate cruise ship standards for for how they handle and report crimes.
Jennifer Hagel Smith’s actions seem rather unfortunate. How really could blame parents for wanting to know the truth as to why their son is missing and presumed dead? If that means going after his short term bride for answers who took the easy way out and settled with the agenda ridden cruise line, then so be it. She states she wanted closure as to why she settled after one year. However, how could one really have closure without knowing what really happened? She saw the blood stains outside her cabin and still she settles for money rather than for answers.
One thing is for certain … no change or truth will come out of Royal Caribbean if only settlements are reached with confidentiality clauses attached.
July 12th, 2006 at 12:14am
Posted by
Administrator |
Crime/Murder, Cruise ship, George Allen Smith IV, Jennifer Hagel Smith, Missing, Missing Adult |
15 comments
In a rather stunning development Jennifer Hagel Smith, the wife of missing 
honeymooner George Allen Smith IV has reached a settlement with Royal Caribbean Cruise line. The terms of the settlement are subject to approval by a Connecticut probate court.
Royal Caribbean International and Jennifer Hagel Smith have reached an agreement settling any potential claims regarding the death of her husband George Smith IV. The company entered into this agreement to provide closure and move forward.
The terms of the settlement are subject to approval by a Connecticut probate court. Royal Caribbean will continue in its good faith efforts to ensure Ms. Hagel Smith has access to all information regarding her husband’s disappearance. (Yahoo News)
What a crock this settlement is on both the part of Royal Caribbean and Jennifer Hagel Smith. This nonsense occurs constantly on cruise ships and nothing is ever done because the victims of crimes or families of the victims settle for monetary amounts rather that effecting change. Maybe Jennifer Hagel Smith can explain to George Smith’s family how a settlement honors her husband. Royal Caribbean in typical fashion come out with a BS PR statement:
“She has handled herself well under the most trying of circumstances and we applaud her constructive approach to resolving this matter — so much so that our company will also match a contribution by Ms. Hagel Smith to a charity of her choosing. We believe this agreement will help Jennifer to move forward in her life, while honoring the memory of her beloved husband.”
Funny, Royal Caribbean was not saying this same comment when Jennifer Hagel Smith sued them. I can only imagine how the family of George Smith is taking this news. I can almost count on the fact that they will not settle for a financial gain. They will honor their son by helping pass legislation so this does not happen again to others.
Statement form Jennifer Hagel Smith 
Does anyone else have a problem with the wording, “Jennifer Hagel Smith is pleased to announce that she has reached a comprehensive settlement”? Is please? Its a grim settlement to the death of your husband, not your wedding announcement. Geez.
Jennifer Hagel Smith is pleased to announce that she has reached a comprehensive settlement with Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. following the disappearance of her husband, George Allen Smith IV, on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in July 2005.
Royal Caribbean has agreed to provide Jennifer with additional access to substantial information and documents in order to assist her in obtaining answers regarding George Smith’s disappearance last summer. She will be permitted to review all relevant vessel logs, security reports, door activity (“lock- link”) reports, photographs, security tapes, correspondence to and from the FBI and other law enforcement authorities, as well as all statements of passengers and crew members obtained by the cruise line. This information will be provided upon completion of the settlement. A similar offer is readily available to the Smith family. (News Flash to Royal Caribbean … I hardly doubt the mother and father will want money for their dead son.)
Royal Caribbean will pay a financial settlement. The proposed settlement will be presented to the Court of Probate, District of Greenwich, in the State of Connecticut for the Court’s consideration and approval.
…
“This has been the most difficult and challenging year of my life,” said Jennifer. “I will always love George and cherish our time together. I feel blessed to have such a strong network of loyal family, friends and supporters who have provided me with such tremendous strength and encouragement. They have walked and sometimes carried me through this heartbreaking time. I am forever grateful.”
“My discussions with Royal Caribbean have been very open, as well as extremely productive and informative. This journey has always been a matter of principle for me, and I know that George would be proud of what has been accomplished thus far, in good faith, as we continue to seek answers. I appreciate Royal Caribbean’s cooperation, sincerity and efforts moving forward, which I believe will play a major role in helping all of us find closure. The memory of George will always live on in my heart, that of our families and everyone who knew him.”
Go here for Reward and tips information as to what happened to George Smith.
June 29th, 2006 at 11:25pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, George Allen Smith IV, Jennifer Hagel Smith |
7 comments
Representatives of the Cruise Lines International Association, CLIA, has asked the Coast Guard to draft a “comprehensive reporting regime” for cruise lines to follow. This in the wake of the widely publicized disappearance of George Allen Smith IV aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. The controversy surrounding George Smith’s disappearance lead to a Congressional hearing lead by US Representative Christopher Shays, R-CT.
U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., also held hearings on cruise line safety, questioning whether the industry did enough to track and report crime and other problems that occur on its ships.
Crye said that while cases of missing passengers, injuries and crimes aboard cruise ships are rare, the public scrutiny has caused the industry to consider establishing more uniform reporting standards.
Shays’ hearing raised questions about who is contacted and under what circumstances should the contact be made. Multiple agencies, such as the FBI, U.S. Coast Guard and foreign police, can sometimes get involved, although they each have different reporting standards. Crye said his trade group has asked the Coast Guard to draft a “comprehensive reporting regime” for cruise lines to follow.
“We’re ready to execute it as an industry,” Crye said.
(Greenwhich Times)
Comments from the Shays hearings on the cruise line industry and safety issues.
“Ocean travel puts passengers and crew in a distant, isolated environment and subjects them to unique risks and vulnerabilities. Like small cities, cruise ships experience crimes — from petty to profoundly tragic. But city dwellers know the risks of urban life, and no one falls off a city never to be heard from again. Cruise passengers can be blinded to the very real perils of the sea by ship operators unwilling to interrupt the party for security warnings. And after an incident occurs, a thorough investigation can be profoundly difficult when the crime scene literally floats away, on schedule, to its next port of call.
“Jurisdictional and bureaucratic tangles can also impede investigation and resolution of crimes at sea. For purely economic reasons, most commercial ships fly under foreign flags. Passengers cannot assume the protection of U.S. laws and law enforcement will be available in time, if at all. When events involve citizens of different nations, in the territorial waters of a third, all three can assert some jurisdictional claim. While these legal and diplomatic niceties are being resolved, the crime trail grows cold and crucial evidence may go overboard or melt into the crowd ashore.
Full House of US Representative memo
Attachments
Victims rights advocates; however, hope that Shays and Congress will pass legislation rather than hoping that the cruise line industry voluntarily complies with incidents reports. One would think that if the cruise line had been sincere it would not have taken all the negative publicity to act now. The George Smith case shed a spot light on the cruise ship industry as the Smith family has been unrelenting in their efforts for answers and laws/guidelines for cruise ships to adhere to so such events never occur again. The Smith family and Congress took notice of the numerous occurrences that has happened aboard cruise lines. They have had their chance to fix the problem, now its time for someone to tell them what to do.
Thirteen cruisers are presumed to have gone overboard in the past two years, according to the International Council of Cruise Lines. Nearly 11 million people took cruises in 2004 — 8.3 million of them Americans, the council says.
According to the FBI, about 50 U.S. cruisers are crime victims or disappear each year. Half the reported incidents involve sexual assaults; 20% are assaults; and 10% involve a missing person.
Shays said in an interview Thursday that cruise lines aren’t forthcoming about reporting bad things that happen to passengers. “Statistics are only provided on a voluntary basis,” he said. “They have a huge incentive to underplay crime.”
(USA Today)
June 10th, 2006 at 05:34pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Crime/Murder, Cruise ship, George Allen Smith IV, Missing, Missing Adult |
no comments
Another missing person reported from a Royal Caribbean cruise. 21-year old Daniel 
Dipiero, of Augusto, Ohio, was reported missing from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Mariner of the Seas, during a trip from Cape Canaveral to the Bahamas.
Daniel Dipiero, of Augusto, Ohio, was reported missing around 11 a.m. Monday from the Mariner of the Seas. Dipiero’s friends reported his disappearance Monday after realizing he had not slept in the cabin they shared, Royal Caribbean International spokesman Michael Sheehan said in a statement.
A review of ship camera footage last showed Dipiero around 2:15 a.m. Monday on the fourth deck, leaning on a rail near the front of the ship, Coast Guard Petty Officer Dana Warr said.
The Bahamian Coast Guard and Royal Caribbean officials were helping search for Dipiero. The FBI and the man’s family were also notified, according to the cruise line. (Fox News)
Ohio Man Missing From Cruise Ship
Video
The search continues for a Mahoning County man who is believed to have fallen overboard on a cruise ship. Officials said Daniel DiPiero, 21, of Canfield, went back to his room on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship late Sunday night and has not been seen since. (WTOV9)
FBI Notified After Cruise Ship Passenger Mysteriously Vanishes
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching an area between Cape Canaveral, Fla., and the Bahamas for a 21-year-old man who mysteriously vanished from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Local 6 News has learned.
Officials said Daniel DiPiero of Ohio was last seen Monday on board the Mariner of the Seas ship.
DiPiero told travel companions that he was going to his room to go to bed.
The following day, when it was discovered that he did not sleep in his cabin, authorities were notified, Local 6 reporter Donald Forbes said. (WKMG6)
UPDATE: FBI: Tape Indicates When Missing Man Went Overboard
After the FBI and the Coast Guard reviewed surveillance video from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the search for a missing man was called off after it was determined that he went overboard early Monday morning.
Royal Caribbean released a statement saying that 21-year-old Daniel DiPiero, of Canfield, Ohio, had been drinking heavily, some of the alcohol having been brought on the ship in violation of Royal Caribbean policy.
“Royal Caribbean learned the following from the FBI’s investigation:
>The young man was served five drinks over a four-hour period — from 8 p.m. to midnight Sunday. During this time, the young man also ate dinner with his six companions, at which point the seven guests shared 1.5 bottles of wine.
>The missing man and his three roommates brought three bottles of liquor onboard the ship, which they concealed in their luggage in violation of Royal Caribbean policy. The young men concealed some the liquor in two large mouthwash bottles. One bottle contained Crown Royal, the other, a combination of two liquors — one named Hypnotic and the other Hennessy cognac. The young men also brought a bottle of Bacardi rum onto the ship in their luggage.
>The four young men consumed the alcohol Sunday afternoon and that evening in both their stateroom and that of their guardian.
>The four videotaped themselves as they drank the alcohol.
>The FBI and Coast Guard thoroughly reviewed the digital video recording captured by the ship’s security systems, which recorded the young man alone on an outside portion of deck 4 on the starboard side of the ship between 12:12 a.m. and 2:16 a.m. Monday. The FBI and Coast Guard indicated to family members that the young man went overboard at 2:16 a.m. Monday and that he was alone at the time.
May 16th, 2006 at 03:07pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, Missing, Missing Adult |
one comment
After the uncalled for and insensitive remarks of the CEO of Carnival Cruise; the family of missing Honeymoon groom, George Smith, demanded an apology and his resignation. Last week the CEO of Carnival Cruise, Robert Dickinson, called the incident of the disappearance of George Smith aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise ship a “nonevent.”
Relatives of George Smith the fourth say they are upset that Carnival Corporation Chief Executive Robert Dickinson called the incident a “nonevent” at a cruise shipping convention on Tuesday.
Smith’s family sent a letter to Carnival today, objecting to Dickinson’s comments.
Dickinson issued a statement saying his comments were part of a larger discussion on cruise industry issues and were not meant to minimize the tragedy of Smith’s disappearance. He said he regrets any pain he may have caused the family.
(WTNH)
The statement made by Robert Dickinson was not only callous but one of the more stupid PR blunders in a recent slew of PR nightmares for the cruise ship industry. While attending a cruise industry convention last Tuesday Dickinson let everyone know exactly what his company thinks of its paying passengers. If anything were to unfortunately happen to any of the millions that frequent Carnival Cruise every year, it would be a nonevent. This is in essence what the CEO is saying about the patrons of his company. The comments that he made at the conference were as follows:
According to the letter, Dickinson said cable news networks were looking for another high-profile crime to cover after the Scott Peterson murder case and the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
“And so now comes the Smith case. But I mean, it’s a nonevent. It’s more entertainment than anything else,” Dickinson said, according to the family’s letter.
“The facts of the case, the story of the husband and wife, the bride and groom, and it’s just absolutely bizarre, but it has nothing to do with safety on cruise ships. And the fact that we have to get up here and defend our safety record is absurd,” Dickinson said, according to the letter.
(Newsday)
The family of George Smith was obviously outraged.
Smith’s family called the comments “despicable.”
“The lack of compassion illustrated by Mr. Dickinson in calling George’s murder a ‘nonevent’ is beyond belief,” Smith’s family wrote. “His view that George’s murder is a ‘nonevent’ is definitely not shared by George’s family and friends whose lives have been devastated by his murder and the subsequent cover-up by Royal Caribbean.”
Robert Dickinson, Carnival Cruise CEO, realizing the PR blunder and the nightmare and firestorm this had created offered a delayed letter of explanation as to his comments.
“My comments were within a larger discussion on cruise industry issues and were not meant to minimize the tragedy of George Smith’s disappearance,” Dickinson said. “I regret any pain my comments may have caused his family.”
With the spot light of the media, individuals and Congress taking a close look at the cruise ship industry due to a perceived lack of safety aboard ships and alleged cover ups of crimes, this was about the last thing a cruise ship official needed to say.
Nonevent article
Carnival president Bob Dickinson is blaming the media for making the public believe there is an increase in crime on board cruise ships. He calls Smith’s disappearance a “non-issue” that was hyped by cable news.
“It’s a non-event,” he said. “It’s more entertainment than anything else. The facts of the case, the story of a husband and wife, the bride and groom. It’s just so absolutely bizarre.”
Dickinson told an assembled crowd that he has had to defend cruise safety because of the Smith case. He called that absurd.
March 16th, 2006 at 11:52pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, George Allen Smith IV, Missing, Missing Adult |
13 comments
Time has done a masterful piece on the cruise ship industry and the rash of cruise-ship crime that occurs. From names that you have heard about in the news like honeymooner George Allen Smith to lesser unknown names like Janet Kelly and Merrian Carver.
The article begins with the chilling yet unfortunately all to accurate statement:
Like so many other tales of cruise-ship crime, Janet Kelly’s story begins with a cocktail and ends with a confidentiality agreement.
This is a must read from Time.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:59am
Posted by
Administrator |
Crime/Murder, Cruise ship, Missing, Rape |
one comment
Another cruise ship pulls into port minus one. This time its Holland America’s The Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam arrived at 4:30 a.m. According to Holland America cruise-line officials, an assistant cook was reported missing on Friday. The Coast Guard and a military plane searched an area 1,100 miles off the coast of Hawaii. Authorities said there was no sign of the missing man.
(NBC San Diego)
February 22nd, 2006 at 01:37am
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, Missing, Missing Adult |
no comments
The recent rash of missing persons aboard cruise ships has yet another disappear acne. A 30 year old male went missing from the Amsterdam Friday afternoon. The Amsterdam is based in San Diego. After searching for the missing man on Saturday, the Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing cruise ship passenger.
The cruise ship was about 11- hundred miles northeast of Hilo when the man reportedly went missing. The Coast Guard covered miles of ocean searching for the man Saturday afternoon but came up empty handed. The Amsterdam is based in San Diego
(KHNL)
Search over for crewman lost at sea northeast of Hilo
Coast Guard crews help in the fruitless effort to find a worker last seen on Friday
A roommate on the Holland America cruise ship Amsterdam last saw the man about 1 a.m. Friday. After searching the 780-foot vessel, which was on its way to San Diego from the Big Island, crew members called the Coast Guard at about 3 p.m.
Coast Guard spokeswoman Petty Officer Brooksann Epiceno said the cruise ship was instructed to turn back and start looking for the missing man. An oil tanker in the area also helped in the search.
About 6 a.m. yesterday, a Coast Guard C-130 based at Barbers Point got to the scene and was able to search for about three hours before having to turn back and re-fuel. A second C-130 arrived about 1:30 p.m. and the search was called off about two hours later, after officials weighed the chances of finding the victim alive.
According to reports the search covered 1000 miles. They also stated that an individual could remain alive about 7 hours in the 66 degree temperature water.
On the night he went missing, there were 10-foot seas and winds up to 26 mph. His life jacket was found in his cabin.
A Holland America statement on the search did not give details on the man or how he may have fallen overboard.
Search At Sea Suspended
“The Coast Guard was notified at 3 p.m. on Friday that the cruise ship Amsterdam was missing a crewmember,” said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Brooksann Epiceno. “And that was about 1100 miles east of Hilo and on the Big Island.”
The vessel had just finished a tour of Hawai’i and was bound for Mexico and San Diego, California.
The lost crewman stopped the voyage cold.
So, late in the day the search was suspended and the man remained lost at sea.
The ship is operated by Holland America Line.
The company released a statement that said the safety and security of guests and crew is a top priority.
Officials also offered prayers to the victim and to his family.
(KGMB9)
February 19th, 2006 at 04:58pm
Posted by
Administrator |
Cruise ship, Missing, Missing Adult |
one comment
Previous Page | Next Page
