MIAMI – After 38 hours of searching, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday that it has suspended its search to find a 22-year-old cruise ship passenger who vanished at sea.
Witnesses told authorities Nathaniel Skokan jumped overboard Thursday from the 12th deck of the Independence of the Seas off the coast of Key Largo.
Recommended Videos
Chris Eddy was the search and rescue technical specialist at the Coast Guard 7th District. He said the decision to suspend the mission after searching an area of 4,574 square miles was not easy.
"We want to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Skokan," Eddy said in a statement.
The Royal Caribbean ship was returning to Port Everglades from a four-night cruise to Mexico when Skokan vanished.