NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard suspended the search Thursday for a missing 28-year-old man who went overboard from the Carnival Glory cruise ship approximately 30 miles southwest of Southwest Pass, Louisiana.
Missing is Tyler Barnett.
Coast Guard crews searched approximately 5,625 square miles, roughly larger than the size of Connecticut.
Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report around 12:40 p.m. Monday from Carnival Cruise Line that they had an unaccounted-for passenger. Carnival reported he was last seen on security camera at approximately midnight Monday. Carnival reported Tuesday that they had discovered new security footage that showed a passenger going overboard early Monday morning.
Coast Guard District Eight watchstanders launched aircrews to conduct search and rescue efforts from the air and transmitted urgent marine information broadcasts and messages to commercial and recreational mariners operating in the Gulf of Mexico.
Weather conditions presented challenges for aircrews and included sustained 8-foot to 12-foot seas, limited visibility, and gale force winds during the active search efforts.
“The Coast Guard launched multiple search and rescue assets as soon as we were notified of a missing passenger from the Carnival Glory,” said Lt. Cmdr. Sean DiGeorge, Coast Guard District Eight search and rescue mission coordinator. “Our crews battled severe weather conditions for multiple days and made every effort to find Mr. Barnett. Suspending an active search is never a decision we make lightly, and we offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Barnett’s family and friends.”
Coast Guard assets involved in the search included:
- HC-130 Hercules aircrews from Air Station Clearwater, Florida
- HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrews from Aviation Training Center Mobile, Alabama
- MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station New Orleans
The incident is under Coast Guard investigation.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Office: 504-671-2020 Cell: 618-225-9008
