The U.S. Coast Guard said on Thursday that it had suspended an hourslong search for a passenger who went overboard from a cruise ship as it was traveling near Cuba.
The 77-year-old woman, whose name was not immediately made public, was aboard the Holland America Line cruise ship Nieuw Statendam when she went overboard about 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today,” Holland America Line said in a separate statement.
“ 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 said.
The Coast Guard said it had deployed a cutter, the William Trump, as well as helicopters from its air station in Clearwater, Fla. to search for the woman. The search covered more than 690 square miles, the Coast Guard said.
“After 15 hours, the search was suspended at sundown,” the cruise line said.
The company did not share further details about the woman, how she went overboard or what deck she was on.
Because of the search, a port call in Key West, Fla., that had been scheduled for Friday was canceled.
“Our family assistance team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the company said.
The Nieuw Statendam departed from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Dec. 27 for a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, according to Holland America Line.
The ship, which has been in service since 2018, travels to the Bahamas as well as Mexico, the cruise line said. It is 975 feet long and nearly 115 feet wide, and can carry more than 2,600 passengers.
Johnny Diaz is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news from Miami.
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