Cruise ship pianist rescued from sea after nine hours in Pacific Ocean
A cruise ship pianist was rescued by fishermen after falling overboard and treading water for nine hours off the coast of California. The man is in stable condition, and authorities are investigating the circumstances of the fall.
Why it matters
Highlights a rare survival story and raises questions about safety protocols on large cruise vessels.
Image source, Bloomberg via Getty Images Image caption, The man identified himself as a pianist on the Ovation of the Seas cruise ship
A cruise ship pianist was found treading water around 20 miles (32km) off the Californian coast after falling overboard, according to US media reports.
Two fishermen discovered the Royal Caribbean employee near Catalina Island on Friday and officials believe he may have been in the Pacific Ocean for nine hours, according to CBS News, the BBC's US news partner.
"I'm like, 'Yeah, it's a human being. Stop the boat; let's get all of our lines in," Grant Garrett was quoted as saying, recalling the moment he and Sean Norton spotted him.
The man, who has not yet been identified, was taken to hospital in a stable condition, the US Coast Guard told the BBC, adding it was investigating the incident.
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