Search for British cruise entertainer who fell overboard from Royal Caribbean ship on Christmas Day
A search is underway for a 20-year-old British crew member who fell overboard from a Caribbean cruise ship on Christmas Day.
Arron Hough, a member of the entertainment team on a Royal Caribbean boat, did not report to work as scheduled on Christmas morning.
After his colleagues raised the alarm, the ship’s CCTV footage was reviewed and it showed a young man entering an area on Deck 5 at around 4am and he was not seen again.
Local authorities were notified and a ship-wide search for the crew member was conducted, Royal Caribbean have said.
Mr Hough was working on board Harmony of the Seas, which is currently sailing on a seven night itinerary that departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Sunday December 23 with port calls to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Haiti.
His disappearance occurred whilst the ship was en route to Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
A HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Clearwater and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Resolute are understood to be searching for Mr Hough.
The US coastguard, who are assisting the search efforts, said: "The Coast Guard is searching for a missing crew member, who went overboard from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Harmony of the Seas 267 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
"Missing is Arron Hough, 20, of the United Kingdom.”
Days before his disappearance Mr Hough, who is thought to be from Sunderland, posted pictures on social media of himself and colleagues on the beach in Cozumel, Mexico.
According to his Twitter account, he was a performer in the musical “Grease” aboard the ship.
He was previously a student at Urdang Academy, a London-based theatre school, who tweeted that they were “praying” for Mr Hough and his family that he is found safe.
In a statement, Royal Caribbean said: “Our Care Team is providing support to the family and friends of our colleague, and our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”
The Foreign Office confirmed to the Telegraph that it was aware of the missing man.
A spokeswoman said: "We are providing assistance to the family of a British man who has been reported missing off Fort Lauderdale."
