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Coast Guard suspends search for Virginia Tech student in the Bahamas

March 11, 2015

MIAMI – The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a cruise ship passenger who reportedly went overboard from a 6th deck balcony early Sunday morning.Cameron Smook, a 21-year-old student at Virginia Tech, reportedly fell overboard from the Carnival Glory approximately 5 miles south of Abaco Island, Bahamas.

Upon notification from the cruise ship, the Coast Guard launched an Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew who was forward deployed to the Atlantic Underwater Testing Center in the Bahamas.  The crew of the Miami-based Coast Guard Cutter Bernard C. Webber and an Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane crew also took part in search efforts during the three-day search for Mr. Smook.“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Smook family during this very difficult time.  Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we were unable to locate Cameron,” said Capt. Todd Coggeshall, Chief ofResponse Management for the Coast Guard 7th District.The Carnival Glory was on a seven-day cruise out of the Port of Miami.The following crews and assets assisted in the search:

Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopterCoast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplaneCoast Guard Cutter Bernard C. WebberCarnival GloryCarnival EcstasyRoyal Bahamian Defense ForceSearch efforts covered more than 3,600 square nautical miles over a three-day period. 

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