A 19-year-old passenger has been identified after falling overboard from the Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, currently the world’s largest cruise ship.
The young man, named Sigmund Ropich, was a U.S. citizen on vacation with his friends and family. The trip began from Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 27, heading toward the Cuban coast.
Immediately upon notice, the ship’s crew started a search in collaboration with U.S. officials and local authorities, stated a spokesperson from Royal Caribbean.
Fellow passengers on board provided a visual perspective by sharing videos on TikTok, capturing a rescue boat near the cruise ship. Moreover, an announcement was relayed via the cruise ship’s PA system concerning the ongoing search, and the ship diverted to the last known position.
Savannah Ropich, Sigmund’s sister, mentioned that the U.S. Embassy in Cuba is actively coordinating with the Cuban Embassy to assist.
Sigmund was known for his academic excellence in college and was lovingly regarded by his family as the ‘Cool, Calm, and Collected’ sibling.
An investigation will be launched by the Coast Guard upon the cruise’s return.
