Coast Guard suspends search for cruise performer who went overboard

Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Thursday for a Royal Caribbean cruise ship entertainer who went overboard on Christmas Day near Puerto Rico.

Crews searched for approximately 83 hours covering 3,707 square miles until 2:30 p.m. for Arron Hough, 20, of Britain, the military branch said in a news release.

He went went missing around 4 a.m. Christmas Day from the Harmony of the Seas 267 miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. The Coast Guard was notified at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Coast Guard rescue crews were composed of HC-130 Hercules airplanes, HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplanes and the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Resolute, which is home ported in St. Petersburg, Fla.

"We've been in contact with members of Mr. Hough's family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them," said Cmdr. Christopher Douglas, Coast Guard Sector San Juan chief of response. "Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly."

London talent agency Russell Smith Associates, which represents Hough, said in a post Wednesday on Twitter: "We are both shocked and saddened about the news concerning our Arron Hough. Our thoughts are with all of his friends and family and we hope for him to be found very soon."

Hough was part of the cast of Grease -- the Musical on board Harmony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean said Hough did not show up for work Tuesday.

Reviewing footage from the ship's security cameras, crew members found that Hough entered an area on Deck 5 in the early morning and was not seen on camera again.

Hough is the fifth person to go overboard on a cruise ship since late November, the Miami Herald reported.

The cruise ship is on a seven-day trip from Fort Lauderdale that began Sunday and reached its first stop of St. Maarten Island as scheduled Wednesday.

Harmony of the Seas, which has 18 decks, can accommodate 6,780 guests and 2,300 crew members, according to the cruise line.