Search Called off for Overboard Cruise Crewmember

The Coast Guard suspended the search Wednesday for a 34-year old male Filipino crewmember reported overboard from the cruise ship Grand Princess approximately 1,133 miles northeast of Hilo.

Two Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crews from Air Station Barbers Point conducted searches of the area and dropped two Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoys.

The SLDMB is used in search and rescue missions and is equipped with a GPS sensor. Upon deployment in the water, it transmits its location periodically to the Coast Guard to assist with developing search areas.
As part of the AMVER program, the container ship Horizon Reliance along with the Grand Princess's sister ship Star Princess assisted in search efforts.

More than 4,900 square miles were searched.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu were notified at approximately 12 a.m. Tuesday that the 34-year old was overboard.

“Suspending a search is always an incredibly difficult decision to make," said Lt. Justin Gear, a command duty officer of the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center. "It’s done with much deliberation and after a concerted effort to ensure that the Coast Guard has conducted a thorough search and saturated all probable locations for a survivor. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones."

uscgnews.com