Fishermen Rescue Cruise Ship Pianist In Pacific Ocean

LOS ANGELES, CA — Two Southern California fishermen rescued a cruise ship pianist who reportedly spent nine hours in the Pacific Ocean near Catalina Island, according to reports Sunday.

Sean Norton and Grant Garrett were returning from a fishing trip Friday when their boat's captain spotted a person in the water about 20 miles off the mainland, KTLA reported. The fishermen stopped their boat, reeled in their fishing lines and pulled the man aboard.

The unidentified man reportedly told his rescuers that he worked as a pianist aboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas cruise ship, and appeared to be in shock after being pulled from the water.

The fishing crew issued an emergency maritime call, prompting Newport Beach lifeguards to respond, according to reports.

Newport Beach Lifeguard Battalion Chief Adam Yacenda told CBS Los Angeles that the rescue occurred approximately 15 to 20 miles offshore.

The island is about 22 miles from the Los Angeles County coast.

The man was reported to have been in the ocean for about nine hours before being rescued.

The Guardian cited the U.S. Coast Guard, saying the man was transported to a hospital and expected to survive.

Royal Caribbean Group confirmed the incident in a statement to People magazine, saying it was providing support and assistance to the crew member.

The circumstances surrounding the way in which the man entered the water remained unclear. The Coast Guard was investigating the incident.

— City News Service