A 20-year-old cruise ship entertainer who went overboard on Christmas Day is still missing, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
It is thought that Arron Hough, a British citizen, fell into waters around 267 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, while the ship Harmony of the Seas—operated by Royal Caribbean—was travelling towards Phillipsburg, capital of the small island nation of St. Maarten.
The Coast Guard has said that it is now conducting a search for the 20-year-old in this region.
"Missing is Arron Hough, 20, of the United Kingdom," a statement from the Coast Guard read. "Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector San Juan received a notification from the cruise ship stating a crew member went overboard Tuesday."
Hough—a recent graduate of a dance and musical theatre school in London known as the Urdang Academy—was reported missing after he did not show up for work on Christmas Day, according to Royal Caribbean. Hough had landed a role in a production of the musical Grease on the cruise ship earlier this year.
A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said: "We are saddened to report that after a review of the ship's closed-circuit camera footage, he was observed entering an area on deck five at around 4 a.m. and was not seen again.
"Local authorities were notified and a ship-wide search for the crew member was conducted. Our care team is providing support to the family and friends of our colleague, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time," the spokesperson said.
Upon hearing the news, Urdang Academy tweeted that their thoughts were with Hough and his loved ones at this time. "We are all praying for @Arronhoughxox and his family," the post read. "Please keep up your hope and faith that he is found safe and sound as soon as possible."
Hough's talent agency, Russell Smith Associates, also tweeted about the incident: "We are both shocked and saddened about the news concerning our Arron Hough. Our thoughts are with all of his friends and family and we hope for him to be found very soon."
The $1 billion Harmony of the Seas—which is capable of carrying up to 6,780 guests and 2,100 crew—had left Fort Lauderdale on December 23 and is currently on a seven-night cruise involving stops at St. Maarten, San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, and Haiti, the BBC reported.
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Aristos is a Newsweek science reporter with the London, U.K., bureau. He reports on science and health topics, including; animal, ... Read more
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