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Cruise Ship Passenger Lost Overboard At Glacier Bay National Park

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By Kurt Repanshek - July 15th, 2018
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve/Kurt Repanshek

A 69-year-old cruise ship passenger has been lost overboard at Glacier Bay National Park/Kurt Repanshek file

Editor's note: An update to this story can be found at this page: Man Overboard For 9 Hours Before Being Reported Missing At Glacier Bay National Park

A 69-year-old passenger of a Holland America cruise ship has been lost overboard at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

In a brief news release, the park said Saturday night that it had suspended its search for the man, who was reported missing from Westerdam on Friday. The individual was reported missing at 3:50 p.m. when he did not appear for a medical appointment on board, a park release said.

The Park Service was notified 7:30 Friday evening after a ship-wide search confirmed that the passenger was absent. 

Searches for the unidentified passenger were conducted both from Park Service boats and from the air, supported by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The release did not say where along the 65-mile Glacier Bay the man was reported missing, and park staff could not immediately be reached Sunday morning.

Holland America Westerdam/NPS HO

This file photo of the Holland America Westerdam was released by the National Park Service.



 

Comments

Submitted by Bart on July 15, 2018 - 3:06pm.

I was on this tragic voyage. It's still unclear if it was suicide or simply someone Intoxicated. They called for the emergency sweep team after calling for the passenger to report to guest services 3 times. I understand this is the first passenger lost by HAL in 25 years. 


Submitted by Carlos on July 15, 2018 - 3:33pm.

Just got off this sailing on the HAL Westerdam. So many eyes on the very quiet water. I didn't see anything and I had binoculars on looking the entire time for whales etc. Heard announcements .Most assumed he did not return from Glacier Bay excursion.


Submitted by TC on July 15, 2018 - 4:23pm.

Not sure what you mean "not return" from an excursion into Glacier Bay, when passengers remain on the ship and the sail through IS the "excursion"?


Submitted by Carlos on July 15, 2018 - 7:01pm.

You are right TC. I assumed there was an excursion coming off the ship while inside Glacier Bay. Been in there many times on Carnival & Norwegian, either Glacier Bay or Tracy Arm fjord. Must have been Tracy Arm, where we got off the ship and into those same tourist boats we saw in there on Friday. There were many boats in Glacier Bay and even a few sail boats and at least one other cruise ship.


Submitted by R&L on July 15, 2018 - 7:35pm.

Praying for his family.


Submitted by CeCe on July 15, 2018 - 8:56pm.

I was on that voyage. I feel the Captain did not do everything he could to find the man. Two life boats should've been released to go back and look for the guest.Sad for his family. 


Submitted by Ummm, no on July 15, 2018 - 11:13pm.

Pretty sure the captain knows maritime search procedures and protocol better than you do


Submitted by CeCe shut up on July 15, 2018 - 11:16pm.

I'm guessing the captain has a ton more experience Than You.

Stop trying to find blame where there is none.


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