News

US Coast Guard launches search for missing crew of MSC vessel

By maritimemag May 17, 2018

080609-G-2443T-001 SAN VINCENTE, Cape Verde (June 9, 2008) U. S. Coast Guard Chief Boatswain's Mate James Moerls steers an over-the-horizon small boat from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, in background, to conduct a multi-national vessel boarding. The boat is flying the Cape Verde flag. Dallas is deployed to the region to support Africa Partnership Station (APS), an initiative aimed at strengthening global-maritime partnerships through training and other collaborative activities in order to improve global maritime safety and security. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Public Affairs Specialist 1 st Class Tasha Tully (Released)

A crew member from the cruise ship MSC Seaside went overboard off US Virgin Islands on May 16, according to the US Coast Guard.

Relevant authorities launched a search operation for the crewmember, who went missing some 8 nautical miles southeast of St. Thomas.

The crewman, identified as the 37-year-old Michael M. Majaba, of the Philippines, reportedly went overboard from the seventh deck of the Maltese-flagged cruise ship at 1 a.m. on Wednesday.

The cruise ship crew launched a search and contacted watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center at 4 a.m. alerting them of the situation.

MSC Seaside was transiting from the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten to San Juan, Puerto Rico when the incident took place.