Nine Hours: The Duration a Cruise Pianist Spent in the Pacific
Two fishermen pulled a Royal Caribbean crew member from the water 20 miles off the California coast on Friday.
By Grace Almasi ·
A man who identified himself as a pianist for a major cruise line was pulled from the Pacific Ocean on Friday, Nov. 6, after spending approximately nine hours in the water.
The rescue occurred about 20 miles off the Los Angeles County coast. Sean Norton and Grant Garrett were returning from a fishing trip when their boat's captain spotted a person in the sea. The fishermen stopped their vessel, reeled in their lines, and brought the man aboard.
The crew member appeared to be in shock. He told his rescuers that he worked on the Ovation of the Seas, a ship operated by Royal Caribbean Group. The fishing team issued an emergency maritime call, which prompted Newport Beach lifeguards to respond to the scene.
Newport Beach Lifeguard Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda confirmed the location was approximately 15 to 20 miles offshore. The nearest landmass, Catalina Island, sits about 22 miles from the mainland coast.
The man was transported to a hospital, where doctors expected him to survive. Royal Caribbean Group acknowledged the incident and stated it was providing support to the employee.
How the pianist entered the water remains unknown. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the circumstances of the event.
