An air and sea search operation has been called off the California coast with the fate of an elderly cruise passenger unknown.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it suspended the search for a 72-year old man believed to have gone overboard from the Ruby Princess cruise ship as it was returning to San Francisco.
The ship was returning from a cruise to Ensenada, Mexico.
The American citizen was traveling alone and was only noticed to be missing after the ship docked in Northern California.
Crew searched throughout the ship several times and there were no signs of him going overboard from CCTV footage.
Still, the cruise line said it has ‘ruled out all possibilities’ other than a man overboard situation.
The Coast Guard then began aerial searches in the Pacific Ocean centered about 45 miles off the coast.
The operation was suspended later ‘pending any new developments,’ the Coast Guard said.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the guest who was traveling alone,” Princess Cruises said.
Both U.S. Customs and Border Protection are investigating.
