Dance Cruise Cancelled After Passenger Falls Overboard

On Thursday night, a passenger fell over the side of the cruise ship Norwegian Pearl while the vessel was under way off the coast of Cuba.

"A female guest was observed intentionally going overboard while the ship was sailing in the Yucatan channel," Norwegian Cruise Lines said in a statement. The line indicated that its employees were making every effort to assist in her rescue, including the use of three lifeboats to conduct a search.

“The circumstances of her ending up in the water are still very unclear,” said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Steve Lehmann in an early statement to media.

The Coast Guard later identified the woman as Kaylyn Rose Sommer, 24, of Charleston, South Carolina. 

Early reports indicate that the incident occurred at around 7 PM local time on November 12. Photos posted to Twitter confirm the cruise ship launching lifeboats in an attempt to locate and rescue her. 

The vessel had departed Miami, Florida for Cozumel, Mexico. The Norwegian Pearl was chartered for the “Mad Decent Boat Party,” an electronic dance music themed cruise. High-profile acts Diplo and Skrillex were aboard to perform.

Media reports indicate that as a result of the man-overboard incident, the dance cruise has been cancelled and the Norwegian Pearl will return to Miami. Several performances scheduled for shoreside venues at Cozumel will be held during the return trip.

The Mad Decent Boat Party organizers issued the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the news that one of our guests on our current cruise went overboard on November 12. The Coast Guard is now leading all search and rescue efforts and the ship is en route back to Miami . . . Our hearts go out to the family and all involved in this incident, and we will continue to support those affected during this difficult time.”