The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who went overboard early Monday morning from a cruise ship that was on its way back to Norfolk.
The man’s travel companion had reported him missing late Monday afternoon aboard Carnival Magic, which was returning Tuesday from a trip to the Bahamas, according to a statement from Carnival. After reviewing security footage, Carnival reported the passenger “leaned over the railing of his stateroom balcony and dropped into the water at approximately 4:10 a.m.” according to the statement.
The Coast Guard said in a tweet Tuesday morning that the man went overboard 186 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida. Crews were using air and water assets to conduct the search. According to an update at about 3 p.m., crews planned to continue the search with air assets until sunset Tuesday and with water assets throughout the night. The Coast Guard crews have conducted searches on 4,044 square miles and have completed 19 hours of resource search hours.
Carnival said the Coast Guard had released the cruise ship from search and rescue efforts and advised the ship’s captain to continue back to Norfolk.
“The Carnival Care Team is providing support to the guest’s companion and traveling party who are on board,” the statement said.
According to a GoFundMe page shared by his loved ones, Ronnie Peale Jr., 35, was celebrating his significant other’s birthday on the ship, and it was his first time going on a cruise.
“He is our social butterfly that was always on the move and loved to make friends with everyone,” the description of the GoFundMe reads. “The cruise was definitely a place he enjoyed. I never could of imagine something like this could happen. Devastated to say the least.”
Carnival Magic initially left Norfolk for its most recent trip on May 25. The ship has a guest capacity of 3,690 people, and it is about 1,004 feet in length. According to the company’s website, the ship sails out of Norfolk and Miami and sails to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England and the Caribbean during its excursions. Trips can be anywhere from two to more than 10 days.
Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com