Coast Guard suspends search for cruise ship crewman

The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(MIAMI) — Coast Guard crews suspended their search at approximately 2:30 p.m. Thursday for a missing crewmember on the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Harmony of the Seas, 267 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. 

Missing is Arron Hough, 20, of the United Kingdom. 

Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico received a notification from the cruise ship Tuesday at approximately 1:45 p.m. stating a crewmember reportedly went overboard.

“We’ve been in contact with members of Mr. Hough’s family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them,” said Cmdr. Christopher Douglas, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of response. “Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly.”

Coast Guard rescue crews were composed of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplanes, Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplanes and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute (WMEC 620), homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Crews searched for approximately 83 hours covering 3,707 square miles.

By Professional Mariner Staff