Newport Beach fishermen find Royal Caribbean cruise ship employee treading water 20 miles off coast

Two Newport Beach fishermen found a Royal Caribbean crew member treading water nearly 20 miles offshore after a marlin-fishing trip near Catalina Island on Friday. Sean Norton and Grant Garrett said they noticed the captain spotting the man in the ocean around midday and immediately coordinated to stop the boat and lift him aboard. Norton said the survivor was in total shock. After being rescued, the crew reported he told them he was a pianist on the 14-deck “Ovation of the Seas.” An emergency maritime call went out and Newport Beach lifeguards responded. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating how he went overboard, believed to be about nine hours earlier. The man was hospitalized but is expected to survive.