Fishermen Rescue Royal Caribbean Ship Pianist From Pacific Off California

Fishermen pulled a pianist from the Pacific Ocean off Southern California on Friday, Nov. 6, after he had been treading water nearly 20 miles (32 kilometres) offshore Newport Beach, according to The Guardian. The man was taken to hospital after the rescue.

The man said he worked as a pianist on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, a 14-deck cruise ship. Authorities believe he may have been in the ocean for about nine hours before he was spotted.

Sean Norton and Grant Garrett were returning from a fishing trip near Catalina Island, an island off the coast of Southern California, when they saw him. They had spent the morning fishing for marlin, and they had the man out of the water by noon. After the rescue, their crew issued an emergency maritime call, which brought Newport Beach lifeguards to the scene.

Newport Beach Lifeguard Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda said the man was found approximately 15 to 20 miles offshore. The US Coast Guard, the federal agency responsible for maritime safety, is investigating how the man went overboard from the ship.

Royal Caribbean Group acknowledged the incident and said it is assisting the employee.