A cruise ship pianist was rescued after spending approximately nine hours in the Pacific Ocean, where he was found treading water nearly 20 miles off the coast of California by two fishermen returning from a fishing trip.
Their boat’s captain spotted a person in the water, prompting the men to stop and investigate, CBS Los Angeles reported. Royal Caribbean Group confirmed the incident and said it was providing assistance to the rescued employee. They then issued an emergency maritime call, following which Newport Beach lifeguards arrived to assist. The crew member appeared to be in shock after being pulled from the water. The US Coast Guard is investigating the incident, including the circumstances in which the pianist went overboard from the cruise ship. The circumstances surrounding how he ended up in the ocean have not yet been established. (Also read: Woman found alive in sea nearly a day after going overboard from Royal Caribbean ship, dramatic rescue video goes viral | Watch )
The rescue took place on Friday, November 6, when Sean Norton and Grant Garrett were heading back after fishing for marlin near Catalina Island in Los Angeles County.
The fishermen pulled the man aboard their vessel after realising he was struggling to stay afloat, according to CBS Los Angeles. Norton described the rescue as a “surreal” experience. He said he and Garrett each grabbed one of the man’s arms and lifted him onto their boat.
