A cruise ship pianist was found at sea about 20 miles off the California coast after falling overboard, CBS reported. The 37-year-old Royal Caribbean employee was found Friday by two men on a marlin fishing trip near Catalina Island, according to the U.S. media outlet. Authorities believe he may have been in the Pacific Ocean for over nine hours.
After pulling him from the water, the two fishermen issued a distress call, and a group of Newport Beach lifeguards responded to provide assistance. The pianist, who has not yet been identified, was hospitalized following the ordeal. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, which is investigating the incident and the circumstances surrounding his fall into the sea, he is expected to survive.
One of the rescuers credits this year's exceptionally warm weather for staying out for so many hours at sea. "We're in a year with an exceptional 'super El Niño' phenomenon. This man was probably in the water for 10 hours, but the water temperature was around 24 degrees Celsius (76 degrees Fahrenheit)," Sean Norton, one of the two fishermen, told CBS. "In a different year, he would never have made it."
Royal Caribbean said it is "providing support and assistance to our crew member during this difficult time. Out of respect for our employee's privacy, we will not be releasing further details."
(Unioneonline)
