TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (NewsNation) — The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a man who jumped overboard from the Carnival Cruise Lines ship Mardi Gras early Saturday as it approached Florida.
The man jumped from the ship just after midnight about 55 miles east of Port Canaveral, according to the Coast Guard and Carnival.
The Coast Guard responded with two cutters and an airplane to search for the 43-year-old man. The Mardi Gras and the cruise ship Elation also participated in the search, said Coast Guard spokesman David Micallef.
“The Carnival Care Team is supporting the guest’s family,” said Carnival spokesman Matt Lupoli. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest and his family.”
Lupoli said the Coast Guard released the Mardi Gras from the search efforts and it continued to Port Canaveral. It will continue sailing as scheduled.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.