Fishermen rescue Royal Caribbean crew member off California

Two fishermen rescued a Royal Caribbean crew member who was treading water in the Pacific about 15 to 20 miles off Southern California, after authorities estimated he had been in the water for roughly nine hours. The unidentified man was hospitalized and was expected to survive, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Sean Norton and Grant Garrett were returning from a fishing trip near Catalina Island on Friday when they spotted the man and pulled him aboard their boat. The fishermen said he told them he was a pianist on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas. Their account was reported through an interview with the rescuers.

After bringing him aboard, the fishermen placed an emergency call. Newport Beach lifeguards responded. Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda said authorities estimated the man had gone into the water about nine hours before he was found. The Coast Guard is investigating how he entered the water.

The crew member’s name has not been released. Reports said he was taken to a hospital and was expected to survive, but did not establish his later condition. Royal Caribbean said it was providing support and assistance to the employee and would not share further details to respect his privacy.