77-Year-Old Overboard from Cruise Ship Near Cuba

A 77-year-old woman fell overboard from a Holland America Line cruise ship in the eastern Caribbean on New Year's Day, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation by the U.S. Coast Guard and the vessel's crew.

The incident occurred Thursday morning aboard the Nieuw Statendam, which was sailing approximately 40 miles northeast of Sabana, Cuba, when the passenger went into the water. The woman's identity has not been released by authorities. The ship had departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 27 for a seven-night itinerary through the eastern Caribbean and was scheduled to return to the same port on January 3.

The captain and crew immediately launched search and rescue procedures upon learning of the overboard incident, according to a statement from Holland America Line. "We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sailing in waters north of Cuba, a guest on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier today," the company said. "The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and are searching the area working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard."

The Coast Guard has deployed multiple assets to aid the effort, including the Cutter William Trump and an MH-60...