The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 77-year-old woman who went overboard from a cruise ship near Cuba, authorities said Thursday.
According to officials, the woman fell from the Nieuw Statendam while the ship was sailing about 40 miles northeast of Sabana.
Coast Guard crews conducted an extensive search by air and sea before ending the effort later the same day. The search was suspended after roughly eight hours, covering about 690 square miles, officials said, adding that it could resume if new information becomes available.
According to a Coast Guard social media post, cruise ship personnel and Coast Guard units worked together during the search.
Records show the Nieuw Statendam, a 975-foot vessel operated by Holland America Line with capacity for nearly 2,700 passengers, departed Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 27. The ship had been scheduled to stop in Key West on Friday before returning to Port Everglades on Saturday.
Holland America Line said the Key West stop was canceled because of the search.
In a statement, the company confirmed the incident and said the ship’s crew immediately initiated emergency procedures and coordinated with the Coast Guard, which deployed a cutter and helicopter.
“Our family assistance team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” the company said.
