by The Coast Guard on Wednesday night suspended the search for a passenger from a cruise ship believed to have gone overboard east of Florida on Monday morning, authorities said.
Ronnie Peale, 35, was identified as the passenger who went down around 4 a.m. when the Carnival Magic cruise ship was about 180 miles east of Jacksonville.
“The decision to suspend active search efforts pending further development is never one we take lightly. We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Peale,» Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Hooper said in a declaration.
The Coast Guard said it was notified around 6:30 p.m. Monday that a passenger had gone down. The search involved Hercules HC-130 aircraft, an HC-144 aircraft and a cutter, which is a ship.
More than 5,171 square miles were logged in the effort, according to the Coast Guard.
The Carnival Magic is around 1,000 feet long and has a capacity of nearly 3,700 passengers, plus around 1,300 crew members, according to the cruise company. She was scheduled to arrive in Norfolk, Virginia, on Tuesday.
