Barbados Today

FREEPORT – The US Coast Guard is searching for a woman who reportedly jumped overboard the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship approximately 27 miles southwest of Freeport, Bahamas Wednesday.

Missing is Rina Patel from Interlaken, New York.

The Coast Guard said it was notified that the 32-year-old woman was “reportedly seen going overboard” at approximately 2:30 a.m. Wednesday from the 11th deck.

In a statement issued after the incident, Carnival said the woman was “witnessed jumping overboard” as the ship was about 15 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama island.

“The company’s CareTeam is providing assistance and support to the missing guest’s family on board and our thoughts and prayers are with her and family and loved ones during this difficult time,” it added.

One of the Carnival Ecstasy passengers, Shannon Parks, shared photos on social media of the search when it began.

Coast Guard helicopter and airplane crews, along with a Coast Guard vessel are assisting in the search.

The Carnival Ecstasy’s last port of call was in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday. It continued sailing about six and a half hours after Patel’s disappearance, and was scheduled to be in Charleston, South Carolina Thursday.