Coast Guard Searching for Carnival Ecstasy Passenger

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a woman who reportedly fell overboard from the Carnival Ecstasy on Wednesday, approximately 27 miles southwest of Freeport, Bahamas and about 15 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama Island.

The 32-year-old woman was reportedly seen falling overboard at approximately 2:30 a.m. Wednesday from the 11th deck. Authorities have identified her as Rina Patel of Interlaken, New York.

A statement from the cruise line said emergency procedures were initiated immediately and the crew began to search for the woman. “The company’s CareTeam is providing assistance and support to the missing guest’s family on board and our thoughts and prayers are with her and family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the statement said.

A Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Gannet crew are assisting in the search. The Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber crew was also diverted to assist in the search.

The Carnival Ecstasy’s last port of call was in Nassau, Bahamas, on Tuesday. After an initial search, the vessel has now continued sailing and is scheduled to be in Charleston, South Carolina, on Thursday.

Cruise Junkie reports seven other cases of passengers or crew going overboard in 2016.