The passenger who went overboard the largest cruise ship in the world this week has been identified as a 19-year-old college student from Washington state — who was vacationing with pals at the time, his family announced.
Sigmund Ropich, known to his loved ones as “boiboi,” was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas when he toppled into the waters off the coast of Cuba on Tuesday, according to his sister Savannah.
“He is a son, a big and a little brother, a cousin, an uncle, a nephew, a friend, a homie, a classmate, a co-worker, a neighbor!!!” the distraught sibling wrote on Facebook.
“I just want my brother home.”
Savannah said Sigmund was enjoying a trip with friends when he fell off the 230,000-ton vessel around 9 p.m. on the second day of a seven-day voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida.
He is known as a “reserved” kid who was “always cool, calm, and collected,” she said, making the tragedy that much more unfathomable for her family.
There has been no sign of him in the three days since he vanished beneath the dark waves, and officials are reportedly giving up hope.
Sigmund Ropich is the passenger who went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, his family said. Savannah Ropich/Facebook
“We were told by the Cuban officials that they are done searching in the ocean. They are continuing only on the coast and land. I have a strong feeling they’re going to end this search,” Savannah told Insider.
“We are very hopeful if they open [the] search back in the ocean … We need them to open it again.”
The Ropich family has been largely kept in the dark about Sigmund’s disappearance, the sibling said.
Royal Caribbean has refused to tell them how long the ship’s crew searched for the teen, though an industry blog reported that rescuers spent about three hours scouring the waves using spotlights, small craft and watchers after the ship turned around and retraced its route.
Sigmund was vacationing with friends when he fell into the waters near Cuba Tuesday.Savannah Ropich/Facebook
“The search crew needs to keep searching for our Boiboi!!!!” Savannah wrote. “We need answers, we need updates!!”
“We are so far away from him.. Please bring this to their attention so we can bring him home!! Please lord!!!!!! Please he hasnt even lived life yet lord.”
Royal Caribbean previously said it had been working with the US Coast Guard, but the military confirmed to The Post the search and rescue responsibilities fall under Cuban jurisdiction.
Cuban rescue officials reportedly told Sigmund’s family they are giving up the search in deep ocean water.Savannah Ropich/Facebook
The USCG will conduct an investigation into the incident when the massive ship returns to US waters, a spokesperson said.
The Wonder of the Seas, which is 1,188 feet long and features 18 decks, can accommodate nearly 7,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is set to break the Wonder’s record when it begins service next year.
Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Source link: https://nypost.com/2023/09/01/sigmund-ropich-idd-as-teen-who-went-overboard-wonder-of-the-seas/