Woman, 77, who went overboard on cruise not located after eight-hour search

A 77-year-old woman who went overboard on a cruise ship north of Cuba has not been located after an eight-hour search on Thursday, according to authorities.

The woman was a guest on the Nieuw Statendam ship, part of the Holland America Line. The Line said it was “deeply saddened” to confirm the woman went overboard in a statement shared with National Post.

“The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and worked closely with the U.S. Coast Guard which deployed a cutter and helicopter to assist,” the statement said.

According to a post on X by the U.S. Coast Guard, crews searched for the woman approximately 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba. The search spanned 690 square miles. Later on Thursday, the Coast Guard said the search had been suspended “pending the development of new information.”

The ship departed for an eastern Caribbean seven-day voyage from a port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Dec. 27, the cruise line said.

As a result of the search, the ship’s planned call to Key West, Florida, January 2 was cancelled,” the statement said.

The Nieuw Statendam has capacity for 2,692 guests and is 975 feet long. It is equipped with a shopping centre, multiple restaurants, a fitness centre, a casino and pickleball courts.

“Our family assistance team is supporting the guest’s family, and our thoughts are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time,” Holland America Line said.

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