Cruise ship pianist rescued after nine hours treading water miles from shore
Key Points:
- A Royal Caribbean cruise ship pianist was rescued after treading water for about nine hours nearly 20 miles offshore by two Newport Beach fishermen returning from a fishing trip near Catalina Island.
- The man was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive; the Coast Guard is investigating how he went overboard from the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship.
- The fishermen, Sean Norton and Grant Garrett, spotted the man and pulled him onboard by noon, with the rescued crew member expressing gratitude and relief.
- Warm ocean temperatures, attributed to a strong El Niño, likely contributed to the man's survival despite the prolonged time in the water.
- Royal Caribbean is assisting the crew member and respecting his privacy, providing no further details about the incident at this time.