Man went overboard after drinking

5/18/2006

After an investigation and review of security tapes, the FBI and U.S. Coast Guard told the family of the man missing 
from Mariner of the Seas that he went overboard at 2:16 a.m. Monday and that he was alone at the time. 

Five FBI agents and four USCG officers conducted the investigation yesterday aboard the ship in St. Thomas,
interviewing the man’s six traveling companions and other passengers and crew, and reviewing video tapes that captured 
the man on deck. 

The FBI informed Royal Caribbean that the man, 21, was served five drinks over a four-hour period – from 8 p.m. 
to midnight Sunday. During this time, he also ate dinner with his six companions, during which the group of seven 
shared a bottle and a half of wine. 

The missing man and his three roommates brought three bottles of liquor on board the ship in their luggage – in violation 
of Royal Caribbean policy. Some of the liquor was concealed in two large mouthwash bottles. One bottle contained Crown 
Royal, the other, a combination of two liquors – one named Hypnotic and the other Hennessy cognac. The young men also 
brought a bottle of Bacardi rum in their luggage. 

According to the FBI report given to Royal Caribbean, the four young men consumed the alcohol Sunday afternoon and 
that evening in both their stateroom and that of their guardian. The four videotaped themselves as they drank the alcohol. 

Investigators’ review of the digital tape captured on the ship’s security system recorded the man outside on deck alone between 
12:12 a.m. and 2:16 a.m. Monday. It appears he was asleep for most of the two hours, after which he walked to the railing by himself. 

The FBI released the man’s stateroom to Royal Caribbean and cleared Mariner of the Seas to sail from St. Thomas yesterday. 
Departure was delayed six hours, until midnight, to allow a visit by the young man’s sister. 

Other family members were already flown to the ship by Royal Caribbean.