Cruise ship musician rescued after nine hours in Pacific Ocean

Two fishermen from California, who were out marlin fishing, rescued a cruise ship musician believed to have been in the water for about nine hours, maritime-executive.com reported.

The incident occurred late morning on November 6, approximately 10 to 20 miles northeast of Avalon Harbor near Catalina Island, according to the Coast Guard and the fishermen.

The fishermen spotted the man in the water and pulled him aboard their boat. He reportedly told them he thought he was going to die.

The man, identified as a pianist working on the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, was transferred to shore and received medical attention. Reports said he was in good condition.

The cruise ship was completing a four-day cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, and apparently was unaware the man had gone overboard. The warmer Pacific waters due to super El Niño likely contributed to his survival.

CBS News also covered the story, confirming the rescue of the entertainer after being stranded for hours off Southern California.