09.11.2026 12:05
The 37-year-old pianist who fell from Royal Caribbean's cruise ship "Ovation of the Seas" off the coast of California, USA, was rescued after being stranded in the Pacific Ocean for about 9 hours. The pianist, spotted by 2 fishermen returning from marlin fishing off Catalina Island, was taken to hospital. The US Coast Guard has launched an investigation into how the pianist, whose condition is stable, fell from the ship.
An individual working as a pianist on a cruise ship sailing off the coast of California managed to survive for hours in the ocean after falling from the ship during the night. The pianist was found by 2 fishermen about 32 kilometers off the coast.
IT IS ASSESSED THAT HE FELL AT 02:30 AT NIGHT
The incident occurred on Friday, November 6. According to the assessment of Newport Beach lifeguard teams, the pianist fell from the ship at around 02:30 local time and remained in the sea for about 9 hours until he was found. Newport Beach Lifeguard Battalion Commander Adam Yacenda said that the point where the pianist was found was about 24-32 kilometers off the coast, in the middle of the ocean.
The pianist, whose identity was not disclosed, was determined to be working on the 14-deck “Ovation of the Seas” ship. According to information in the US press, the ship was about to complete its 4-night tour starting from Los Angeles and covering Catalina Island and the city of Ensenada in Mexico.
THEY NOTICED WHILE RETURNING FROM MARLIN FISHING
Sean Norton and Grant Garrett, who live in Newport Beach, were returning from a morning marlin fishing trip near Catalina Island when the boat's captain noticed a person in the water around noon. The fishermen stopped the boat, reeled in their lines, and pulled the pianist onto the boat together.
Garrett described the moment they noticed the situation by saying he shouted, “Stop the boat, let's throw all the ropes into the sea.” Norton, on the other hand, stated that the rescued person was in great shock when he was taken onto the boat, and said that the pianist told him only, “Thank you. I thought I was going to die.”
“THE WATER TEMPERATURE WAS 24 DEGREES”
After being taken onto the boat, the pianist came to and said that he worked as a pianist on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The fishermen made an emergency call after taking the pianist onto the boat. Newport Beach lifeguards who came to the area upon the call confirmed that the pianist was an employee of the “Ovation of the Seas” ship.
Norton noted that due to the “super El Niño” that was effective in the region this year, the water was 76 degrees Fahrenheit (about 24 degrees Celsius), drawing attention to the possibility that the warm water may have been effective in the pianist's survival. Sea water off Southern California is running above seasonal norms during this period, but its effect on the pianist's survival has not become clear.
COAST GUARD HAS LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION
The US Coast Guard announced that it received a report from a citizen who rescued a conscious person from the sea. The Coast Guard reported that the health condition of the pianist, who was taken to hospital, was stable and that there was no danger of death.
It is not yet known how the pianist fell from the ship and why he was not noticed by the ship. The Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the incident.
STATEMENT FROM ROYAL CARIBBEAN
In a statement, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said, “We are providing support and assistance to our crew member during this difficult time.”