The Coast Guard suspended search for the crewmember who was reported missing from MSC Seaside. Michael Majaba, age 37, of the Philippines who was working as Casino Technician went overboard from deck seven while the vessel was 8 nautical miles of St. Thomas in the Caribbean.

Ship’s crew launched a search and rescue operation around 1 a.m. on Wednesday and contacted Coast Guard Command Center in San Juan at 4 a.m. MSC Seaside stayed at sea all day looking for Michael, soon after other ships joined the search including the cruise ship Carnival Glory. 

U.S. Coast Guard sent a C-130 Hercules aircraft, two helicopters, Special Purpose Craft–Law Enforcement response boat rescue boat and the Coast Guard Cutter Confidence. Overall there were five air and three surface searches covering an area of approximately 1,216 square nautical miles in an attempt to locate the crew member. Unfortunately, the crew member was not found.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with family and friends of Majaba and the MSC Seaside crew during this difficult time,” said Capt. Eric King, Sector San Juan commander.

Prayers go out to the crew member of the MSC Seaside his, friends and coworkers. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family in the Philippines during this difficult time. May God be with you.