Coast Guard suspends search for overboard cruise ship passenger south of Islamorada

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
After Hours: 786-367-7649
7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for overboard cruise ship passenger south of Islamorada

MIAMI — Coast Guard crews suspended their search at approximately 10:20 p.m., Saturday for an overboard Carnival Victory cruise ship passenger.

Missing is Thomas McElhany, 26. 

Coast Guard watchstanders received a call from the cruise ship at approximately 5 a.m. Friday stating a passenger had reportedly went overboard.

“I have been in contact with members of Mr. McElhany’s family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them,” said Cmdr. David Aldous, Coast Guard 7th District search and rescue mission coordinator. “Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly.”

Coast Guard rescue crews were composed of Coast Guard Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplanes, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton (WPC-1108), homeported in Key West and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Cochito (WPB-87329), homeported in Miami.

Crews searched for approximately 32 hours covering 2,086 square miles.

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-USCG-