U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a cruise ship crewmember who went missing around 1 a.m. on Wednesday. According to the reports the missing crew member is identified as Michael M. Majaba, age 37, of the Philippines. Majaba who was working as Casino Technician reportedly went overboard from deck seven of the MSC cruise ship MSC Seaside while the vessel was 8 nautical miles southeast of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Ship’s crew launched a search and rescue operation and contacted Coast Guard Command Center in San Juan at approximately 4 a.m.
Responding to the emergency call, U.S. Coast Guard sent a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft from Boat Forces Detachment St. Thomas and MH-65 Dolphin helicopter that are currently on scene searching for the missing crew member. Current weather conditions are not favorable with large swells and winds of more than 30 mph. MSC Seaside continues to search for the missing man together with the Coast Guard. According to Cruise Law News the cruise ship Carnival Glory and smaller commercial vessels were also engaged in the search.
“Starting our 3rd hour of a search & rescue effort outside of St Thomas for a crew member that went overboard from the MSC Seaside Cruise ship. The cruise ship Glory (our ship), MSC Seaside, Coastguard Helicopter & another small vessel have all combined efforts on this search. And now off in the distance, it appears another cruise ship is heading this way...Hopes & Prayers for all involved." Say Richard and Becky Mallette, sailing on Carnival Glory.
