Cruise Passenger Rescued After Bobbing in Ocean for Eight Hours

By Erin Peterson

A Carnival cruise line passenger spent nearly eight hours in the ocean after taking a 60-foot leap off the balcony in his room. Apparently, Michael Mankamyer, 35, was intoxicated Thursday night and raced through the ship before jumping into the water.

Coast Guard officials state that the Orlando resident was rescued shortly before 9:00am approximately 30 miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was reportedly waving his arms and screaming for help.

Petty Officer 1st Class Dana Warr said, "It’s pretty miraculous that he’s still alive." Warr also said that is not unusual, but it is rare to rescue a passenger that has fallen from a cruise ship.

After being lifted from the Atlantic Ocean, Mankamyer was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. While he did suffer from minor hypothermia, he was in overall good condition. A hospital spokeswoman would not confirm his condition and reported Friday morning that they have been asked not to release any information to the news media.

Six-foot seas were reported by the Coast Guard during the time of the rescue. The National Weather Service reported the air temperature around 75 degrees and the National Oceanographic Data Center reported water temperature is between 65-75 degrees in the Miami area during March.

Mankamyer was a passenger on the Port Canaveral Florida-based Carnival Glory. Ship employees contacted the Coast Guard shortly after midnight to report the missing passenger. The cruise ship was bound for Nassau, Bahamas for a seven-day cruise.

A witness who was in the cabin with Mankamyer claims to have seen him run through the room and then jumped overboard. The witness also claims that Mankamyer was drunk at the time.

The cruise ship remained in the area to assist Coast Guard rescuers in the search for their passenger. "The time that they did spend was appreciated," said Warr. The Glory was also joined by the Disney Magic which also helped in the search efforts. The Coast Guard cleared the ships to leave the area when the cutters Chandeleur and Vigorous and a helicopter took over the search.

Because the ship was in international waters when he leapt from the balcony, federal or local charges cannot be filed against Mankamyer.

Carnival officials have not released any other information about the incident but the Glory is expected back at Port Canaveral on Saturday.