The U.S. Coast Guard has assumed control of a search for a man who went overboard on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship Thursday.
The Sun Sentinel reported an unidentified 22-year-old man was seen going overboard on the Independence of the Seas in the early morning hours Thursday while the ship was about 33 miles southeast of Key Largo.
"We are saddened to report that a guest on board Independence of the Seas was witnessed intentionally going overboard from deck 12 at around 1:45 a.m. this morning," Royal Caribbean said in a statement via the Sun Sentinel.
"Our Care Team is providing support to the family of the guest, a 22-year-old American man. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."
Officials on the ship alerted authorities immediately after the incident and used a pair of lifeboats to turn back and search for the man.
The Coast Guard took over the search shortly after 6 a.m. Thursday, while the Independence of the Seas continued on to Port Everglades.
The ship was returning from a five-night cruise to the western Caribbean.
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