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The parent of a 28-year-old individual on a cruise ship who reportedly leaped overboard has voiced disapproval towards the cruise line, stating that they did not inform her of her son’s absence.
Tyler Barnett, a resident of Louisiana, is thought to have fallen off the Carnival Glory on Monday. The cruise line, Carnival Cruise Line, stated that he was declared missing a day after departing from New Orleans for a one-week cruise to the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico.
He was aboard the cruise ship with his sister and uncle, and was last seen around 11:40 PM on Sunday heading to his room after visiting the ship’s casino.
The Coast Guard has deployed two aircraft to search a 200-mile region in the Gulf of Mexico where the ship entered, in order to locate the 28-year-old who went missing.
Elisha Reid, the mother of the missing individual, has expressed disapproval towards Carnival Cruise Line. In an interview with Business Insider, she revealed that she learned of her son’s disappearance through a family member, not from the company.
According to Business Insider, Mr. Barnett’s mother remains optimistic about his survival, but a representative from Carnival Cruise Line stated that their review of surveillance footage suggests that the 28-year-old jumped off the ship around 1:40am on Monday.
The spokesperson stated that he was observed climbing onto a lifeboat and subsequently jumping from it.
The Carnival Cruise Line stated that they notified Mr. Barnett’s family about the surveillance video, while Ms. Reid claims that the video reveals her son falling from the ship, rather than intentionally jumping.
She explained, “The lifeboat hit a wave and Tyler fell off.” Tyler was her firstborn and only son, and he meant everything to her. She described him as the air she breathed and the beat of her heart. Losing him has left her feeling as though her heart no longer beats.
She stated that Carnival initially informed her daughter, who is currently on the ship, that there was no recording of what occurred to her son.
The company announced that they are providing assistance to the relatives of Mr. Barnett, who are still present on the ship. A spokesperson stated that their Care Team will persist in offering support to the family during this challenging period.
The US Coast Guard has authorized the ship to proceed with the cruise.
When discussing her son, Ms. Reid stated, “I have times when I feel overwhelmed, but I am remaining hopeful.”
She expressed that knowing his whereabouts and having him back home, regardless of whether he is alive or not, is incredibly important to her. She wants his body to be returned home.
She mentioned that her son was raised near bodies of water and thoroughly enjoyed being on the river and the ocean, working on a tugboat.
Ms. Reid stated that the only solace she has is that Tyler enjoyed being in the water and fishing. She finds it ironic that he is now in a place where he always loved to be.
At least nine individuals have fallen off of cruise ships in the current year, with only two managing to survive.
Source: independent.co.uk
