Coast Guard, Mexican Navy coordinate search for missing passenger
The Carnival Panorama departed Long Beach, California, on 13 September for Puerto Vallarta, a coastal Mexican resort town. The vessel was returning from that port when the incident occurred. The circumstances leading up to the man going overboard remain unclear.
The US Coast Guard is searching for the missing passenger. “The Coast Guard launched fixed wing aircraft to assist with the search and is coordinating search efforts with the Mexican Navy and commercial vessels in the area,” a Coast Guard spokesperson said in a Monday statement. “The search remains ongoing.” The Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a Tuesday request for comment from the Guardian.
Carnival is providing support to the family traveling with the guest. “Carnival is providing support to the family who was traveling with the guest, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” a cruise line spokesperson said in a statement.
Michael Bedwell, who was aboard the cruise ship, told ABC7 that crew members instructed guests to return to their rooms after announcing they were looking for an individual. “We didn’t really know what was going on,” Bedwell said.