Crews searched Monday for a man who jumped from a Carnival cruise ship one day earlier as it was returning to Jacksonville, Florida, cruise line officials told WFTV.
The man, 30, went overboard off the Carnival Elation on Sunday about 95 miles east of Melbourne in Central Florida, WFTV reported. The U.S. Coast Guard told the news station that it deployed two aircraft and a cutter to search for the man.
Coast Guard suspends search
Update 10:56 p.m. EDT July 24: The U.S. Coast Guard said it has suspended the search for a missing man who went overboard on a Carnival Cruise ship just off the coast of Florida, WFLA-TV reported.
The Coast Guard identified the passenger as Jaylen Hill, 30, according to the television station.
According to the Coast Guard, air and sea crews searched an area 95 miles nautical miles east of Melbourne, WFLA reported.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the Hill family,” Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez said in a statement. “Our crews take our life-saving mission very seriously. Any time we can’t bring a loved one home to their family is a pain we all feel.”
-- Bob D’Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Original report: In a statement, officials with Carnival Cruise Line told WFTV that a review of security camera video showed the man had jumped from the ship on Sunday.
“The crew was notified by his traveling companion late in the afternoon about his missing status after he had not been seen all day,” officials said. They added, “The Carnival Care Team is providing support to the guest’s family and our thoughts are with them and the guest.”
The Elation sails between Jacksonville and the Bahamas on trips ranging from two to five days. It can carry nearly 2,200 passengers and 900 crew members, according to Carnival Cruise Lines.