The passenger who fell overboard from the world’s largest cruise ship this week has been identified as a 19-year-old college student from Washington state who was on vacation with friends at the time, his family announced.
Sigmund Ropich, known to loved ones as “boiboi,” was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas when it plunged into the waters off the coast of Cuba on Tuesday, according to his sister Savannah.
“It’s a son, an older brother and a little brother, a cousin, an uncle, a nephew, a friend, a friend, a classmate, a co-worker, a neighbor!!!” the distraught brother wrote on Facebook.
“I just want my brother to be home.”
Savannah said Sigmund was enjoying a trip with friends when he fell off the 230,000-ton ship around 9 pm on the second day of a seven-day voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida.
He is known as a “reserved” child who was always “calm, calm and collected,” he said, making the tragedy that much more unfathomable for his family.
There has been no sign of him in the three days since he disappeared beneath the dark waves and authorities are reportedly losing hope.
Sigmund Ropich is the passenger who fell overboard on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, his family said. Sabana Ropich/Facebook
“Cuban officials told us they had finished searching the ocean. They continue only on the coast and on land. I have a strong feeling that they are going to end this search,” Savannah told Insider.
“We have high hopes if they open [the] Go back to search the ocean… We need to get it open again.”
The Ropich family has not heard anything about Sigmund’s disappearance, the brother said.
Royal Caribbean has declined to tell them how long the ship’s crew searched for the teen, though an industry blog reported that rescuers spent about three hours scouring the waves using searchlights, small boats and spotters after the ship capsized and he retraced his route.
Sigmund was on vacation with friends when he fell into the waters near Cuba on Tuesday. Savannah Ropich/Facebook
“The search team needs to continue searching for our Boiboi!!!!” Savannah wrote. “We need answers, we need updates!!”
“We are a long way from him… Please let them know so we can bring him home!! Please sir!!!!!! Please, he hasn’t even lived life yet, sir.”
Royal Caribbean previously said it had been working with the US Coast Guard, but the military confirmed to The Post that search and rescue responsibilities fall under Cuban jurisdiction.
Cuban rescue officials reportedly told Sigmund’s family that they would abandon the search in deep ocean waters. Savannah Ropich/Facebook
Royal Caribbean has declined to tell them how long the ship’s crew searched for the teen, though an industry blog reported that rescuers spent about three hours scouring the waves using searchlights, small boats and spotters after the ship capsized and He returned to his route. /LightRocket via Getty Images
The USCG will conduct an investigation into the incident when the massive ship returns to US waters, a spokesperson said.
The Wonder of the Seas, which is 1,188 feet long and has 18 decks, can accommodate nearly 7,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will break the Wonder’s record when she enters service next year.
Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for comment.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn