Cruise worker found on Clearwater Beach, days after he fell off or jumped from Holland America Line, has been identified. A cruise worker by the name of Cliford B. Minej, from India, had disappeared on December 21st as the Holland America Line’s Ryndam was returning to Florida after a 14-day Caribbean cruise. Minej’s body was found on December 26th by a person taking a stroll on the beach.
The body of a cruise worker found almost one week after he vanished from the Holland America Line cruise ship called Ryndam, is of an Indian national.
On Friday, December 26th, a person walking on Clearwater Beach, discovered the body of a man washed ashore. The unnamed person, who found the remains around 7:15 a.m., immediately called the authorities.
Members of the Clearwater Police Department, were quickly able to identify the body as that of 27-year-old Cliford B. Minej.
Minej, who was from Thane, India, was a cruise ship worker aboard the Ryndam. On Sunday, December 21st, as the Ryndam was returning to Florida after a two-week trip in the Caribbean, the worker disappeared around 3 a.m. somewhere near Egmont Key, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Ashley J. Johnson, a U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman.
A massive search involving the Coast Guard and multiple area law enforcement agencies, took place by water and air; it lasted two full days before being called off for an undisclosed reason.
Holland America Line, released a statement about the passing of Mr Cliford B. Minej, and it conveyed the company’s condolence to the man’s family. The spokesperson said:
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our crew members and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.”
Police say that Minej either jumped off the ship in an attempt to end his life, or he accidentally fell in the ocean and drowned.
While no one is able to confirm either scenario because there were no witnesses, the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death accidental.
Cruise worker found, a family is now mourning and looking for answers.
