The body of a cruise ship worker from the Holland America ship Ryndam has washed ashore on a Florida beach, a week after being reported missing at sea.
Cliford B. Minej, 27, from Thane, India, was found by a walker on Sand Key in Clearwater, Florida.
Minej went missing as the ship headed to port in Tampa on December21, and a two-day search by the US Coast Guard proved unsuccessful.
"It is believed he jumped or fell from the ship near Egmont Key," a statement by Clearwater Police said.
The US Coastguard said the man was last seen on the ship at 3.00 am when the ship was near Egmont Key, but the captain did not notify authorities until 8.00 am when the ship docked, according to a report in the Tampa Bay Times.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our crew members and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time," a HAL statement said.
