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Cruise Ship Passenger Lost Overboard At Glacier Bay National Park

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By Kurt Repanshek - July 15th, 2018
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve/Kurt Repanshek

A 69-year-old cruise ship passenger has been lost overboard at Glacier Bay National Park/Kurt Repanshek file

Editor's note: An update to this story can be found at this page: Man Overboard For 9 Hours Before Being Reported Missing At Glacier Bay National Park

A 69-year-old passenger of a Holland America cruise ship has been lost overboard at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

In a brief news release, the park said Saturday night that it had suspended its search for the man, who was reported missing from Westerdam on Friday. The individual was reported missing at 3:50 p.m. when he did not appear for a medical appointment on board, a park release said.

The Park Service was notified 7:30 Friday evening after a ship-wide search confirmed that the passenger was absent. 

Searches for the unidentified passenger were conducted both from Park Service boats and from the air, supported by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The release did not say where along the 65-mile Glacier Bay the man was reported missing, and park staff could not immediately be reached Sunday morning.

Holland America Westerdam/NPS HO

This file photo of the Holland America Westerdam was released by the National Park Service.



 

Comments

Submitted by Ashley johnson on July 16, 2018 - 8:34pm.

As stated previously, the captain is quite aware of maritime rules & regulations. As I've stated to people, you just don't fall off a cruise ship which has high railings. You either jump, or are pushed. If it were that easy, children wouldn't be allowed to rip & run around. Also, the ship is on a strict schedule!


Submitted by Fran Mcm on July 16, 2018 - 8:56pm.

I was there too. It seems strange that someone can go overboard at Glacier Bay and not be seen by anyone. So many eyes are looking towards the water.

I am so puzzled as to how anyone can fall overboard without a concerted effort. 

My guess is suicide.


Submitted by Roger on July 16, 2018 - 9:50pm.

What's the water temperature there?   Can't be over 50 degress and probably less.   You aren't going to last over 30 minutes in that before hupothermia shuts you down.  There wasn't any point in sending out search boats after 4 hours.

 


Submitted by Jill on July 16, 2018 - 11:38pm.

Holland America has had 14 man overboard since 1995


Submitted by Kim on July 17, 2018 - 1:11am.

That's probably true but you don't have to be rude about it.


Submitted by SE Alaskan on July 17, 2018 - 1:11am.

If he did somehow survive the water and make it to land, he would have alot of work to do to survive. Straight up survival skills would be needed if he was not prepared like most Alaskans are. Sorry for this to happen.


Submitted by Victron on July 17, 2018 - 1:54am.

Sailed around the world.  Falling overboard on purpose or accident, is, kinda permanent.  It would never have been anyone's responsibility had I lost it in the Pacific or other.  Best to all.  Lots of things like to eat in our oceans.

 


Submitted by Jimmy Peters on July 17, 2018 - 3:16am.

When or where was the man last seen?


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