A 77-year-old woman fell overboard from a cruise ship while it sailed north of Cuba, according to the United States Coast Guard, which said it suspended the search after several hours on Thursday.
The Holland America Line cruise ship Nieuw Statendam was about 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba, when the woman went overboard Thursday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.
“The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and are searching the area working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard which has deployed a cutter and helicopter to assist,” Holland America Line said in a statement.
Later Thursday, the Coast Guard said it had suspended the search for the woman “pending the development of new information.” Cruise ship personnel and Coast Guard crews searched for about eight hours across roughly 690 square miles, according to the agency.
The Nieuw Statendam left Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Dec. 27 for a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise, according to Holland America Line.
Because of the search, the cruise line said the ship’s scheduled stop in Key West, Florida, on Friday was canceled.
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today,” Holland American Line said in a statement Thursday. “Our family assistance team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time.”