Cruise ship pianist rescued after nine hours in Pacific Ocean

A Royal Caribbean employee who works as a pianist was pulled from the sea on Friday after spending roughly nine hours in the Pacific Ocean about 20 miles (32km) off California’s coast, according to US media reports.

Two local fishermen, Grant Garrett and Sean Norton, spotted the man near Catalina Island and called for assistance. Garrett recalled his reaction, saying, "I'm like, 'Yeah, it's a human being. Stop the boat; let's get all of our lines in,". Norton added that the survivor identified himself as a pianist on the 14‑deck vessel Ovation of the Seas.

Coast Guard officials said the survivor, whose name has not been released, was handed to Newport Beach lifeguards and taken to hospital in stable condition. The agency noted it had received a report from "a Good Samaritan who recovered a conscious individual from the water". Lifeguard Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda told CBS the rescue occurred about 15 to 20 miles offshore.

Norton said the man believed he would die, recalling his words, "Thank you. I thought I was gonna die,". He attributed the rescue to unusually warm water, noting the sea temperature was 76 °F (around 24 °C) during a strong El Niño year. Norton warned that in a cooler year the outcome would likely have been different.

A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean Group said the company is offering support to the crew member and, to protect his privacy, no further details could be provided.