Search under way for missing cruise worker

VERO BEACH, Fla., Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Carnival Cruise Lines says a search is under way for a cruise ship worker who apparently fell overboard Thursday off the coast of Florida.

The tourism company said in a statement that, according to witnesses, the unidentified entertainment staff member fell from the Carnival Sensation off the coast of Vero Beach, Fla., CNN reported.

"The eyewitness accounts indicate that this was clearly an accidental overboard," Carnival Cruise Lines said.

The early morning incident occurred as the staff member was off-duty, the company said. The Sensation was temporarily held at the scene, but eventually was allowed to travel to its home port of Port Canaveral, Fla.

Coast Guard officials searched for the unidentified man, who was thrown a life ring after falling overboard, but have yet to find the worker.

Carnival said its "thoughts and prayers" were with the employee's loved ones, CNN reported.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with this young man at this time as well as with his friends and family," the company said.