A Royal Caribbean passenger was rescued this week after falling overboard from the 10th deck of a cruise ship near the Dominican Republic, according to the US Coast Guard.
Officials were alerted to the rescue of the 42-year-old woman, a US citizen, around 5:44 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement from the Coast Guard.
The Mariner of the Seas cruise ship was about 27 nautical miles south of Punta Cana en route to Willemstad, Curacao, when the passenger went overboard, the statement said.
“The passenger was recovered alive and reported to be in good health, having fallen into the water from the 10th deck of the ship,” the Coast Guard said in a statement. “The cruise ship did not request a medical evacuation of the passenger. The passenger was being held at the cruise ship’s medical facility and later transported to Willemstad Hospital, Curaçao for evaluation.”
The Coast Guard said it is investigating the circumstances that led to the passenger going overboard.
In a statement to NBC News on Wednesday, Royal Caribbean confirmed that a passenger went overboard on Sunday near the Dominican Republic.
“The vessel and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and began searching for the guest. Fortunately, the guest was successfully recovered and brought on board. Our Care team is now providing assistance and support to them and their travel group. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share,” the statement said.
The ship continued the voyage as planned, Royal Caribbean said.
Orlando’s Fox affiliate WOFL spoke with passenger Matthew Kuhn, who was on the cruise with his family. He watched the rescue work from his balcony, he told the press.
“I think it was amazing to see that everyone was on their balcony. Everyone was trying to help and the crew was very responsive to everyone,” he said.
Kuhn said he did not expect the passenger to be found alive and was pleasantly surprised that he was wrong.
“Shit, they found her and she’s alive,” he told WOFL.
NBC News reached out to Kuhn on Wednesday. He declined to comment, but shared some videos he posted on Twitter of the rescue efforts.
In one videoa small boat is seen in the distance and people on board the cruise ship are heard clapping, whistling and clapping.
