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Search for missing cruise passenger called off
The US Coast Guard has called off its search for a cruise ship passenger who reportedly jumped overboard from the Bahamas Celebration cruise ship.
James Miller, of Charleston, SC, was not found during an expansive air and sea search covering 2,813 square nautical miles.
The man allegedly jumped overboard around 2:00am Sunday as the ship was cruising 27 miles east of Delray Beach.
The Coast Guard sent two boats, a rescue helicopter and a patrol plane to assist in the search and the incident is currently being investigated by the FBI.
Celebration spokesman Glenn Ryerson said the incident was witnessed by other passengers and crew members "conducted a search on the water, in the approximate area where he went overboard."
The cruise line’s immediate response has been criticized by other cruise passengers, according to a news report by Fox 4 News.
Passenger Shea Hambling, who videoed part of the search attempt, said crew were unprepared and under equipped to handle emergencies of this kind.
The cruise line responded to the news report with a statement saying: "The Bahamas Celebration is appropriately equipped and in compliance with all Coast Guard and international regulations."
It also added that the ship had passed its annual Coast Guard inspection earlier this month.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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