Search Suspended for Missing Woman Overboard from Holland America Line Cruise Ship
The search for a 77-year-old woman who went overboard from a Holland America Line cruise ship near Cuba on New Year's Day has been suspended by the U.S. Coast Guard. The passenger disappeared about 40 miles northeast of the Sabana-Camagüey archipelago, as reported by the Coast Guard Southeast.
The USCG halted its search for the missing woman from the cruise ship, Nieuw Statendam, pending any new developments. Cruise ship personnel and USCG crews conducted an 8-hour search covering approximately 690 square miles.
The Coast Guard utilized its cutter William Trump and MH-60 helicopter crews from Air Station Clearwater in the search operation. Holland America Line expressed deep sadness over the incident and mentioned that search and rescue procedures were initiated by the captain and crew in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Following a day-long search, the efforts were suspended at sundown. The cruise line's family assistance team is providing support to the guest's family, and the ship's planned stop in Key West, Florida, on January 2 was canceled.
The Nieuw Statendam, with a capacity of around 2,700 guests, departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 27, making stops in the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic before heading to Key West at the time of the incident.