C
Calgon1
Guest
The Costa Mediterranea sailed out of Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, April 8th. Little did I know, as we set sal, that we were about to be a part of history. Two passengers (Andy Hopkins and his girlfriend Tina White - both from Bonita Springs, Forida) had been having an arguement when she "allegedly" jumped overboard. Approximately 45 minutes later, Hopkins notified the ship's personnel of the terrible event. A search was immediately initiated. The US Coast Guard was notified and joined the Mediterranea using two cutters, helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft. The ship was released by the US Coast Guard after 12 unsuccessful hours. The ship then proceedd to Miami, where Hopkins was taken off the ship and an investigation team boarded. The ship then proceeded to her second scheduled port (Grand Cayman), skipping Key West.
Here is what I, Calgon, personaly witnessed:
Sunday, around 7:45 am, the following announcement was made from the bridge: "Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that at last night a passenger was seen going overboard. The ship has been conducting a search all night and has not been released by the Coast Guard. Unfortunately, we will not be stopping in Key West as scheduled. All scheduled tours have been cancelled and the cost will be credited to your accounts. We will remain on station until we are released."
Around 8:15 am, a male passenger (Hopkins) was making a scene in the main lobby, at the customer services desk. Security personnel took up positions in the immediate vicinity, quietly ushering other guest from the area. I saw two plainclothes personnel with handcuffs in hand. The Hopkins was yelling, cursing and threatening the staff. Eventually, the calmed him down and took him into one of the nearby offices, ending that episode of the drama.
Around 10:30 am, an announcement was made that the ship was returning to Miami for "technical reasons".
Around 11:00 am the ship held position off the entrance to the Port of Miami channel. There it was met by a small boat (20'-25'?, similar to a sport fishing boat). Two men got off the boat, each carying a large black suitcase. Then, Hopkins was escorted off the ship. I could not tell if he was restrained or not.
- - - - -
Heard: (and bear in mind, these are just the rumors that appear to be the most popular ...) -
The couple had been arguing ever since they boarded on Saturday.
They were really loud, screaming and threatening each other in their cabin, but no one reported them ("Don't want to get involved, you know.").
Around 11:15 pm, someone reported that they thought they had seen someone go overboard, from the side of the ship.
Around 11:15 pm, the yelling from the cabin ended.
Around midnight (45 minutes later) the boyfriend reported that she had jumped overboard.
In addition to the girl who "jumped", the man had also brought another girlfriend aboard, without the knowledge of the missing girlfriend; and she left the ship before we departed Fort Lauderdale.
- - - - -
The reality? Who knows? It may come out someday, but the industry will probably try to bury it Bet you ten to one that there are already at least two TV/Hollywood wriiting teams working on scripts ...
The FBI has initiated an investigation.
Run the following in your search engines - Mediterranea / overboard / Bonita Springs / Tina White / Andy Hopkins
Here is what I, Calgon, personaly witnessed:
Sunday, around 7:45 am, the following announcement was made from the bridge: "Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that at last night a passenger was seen going overboard. The ship has been conducting a search all night and has not been released by the Coast Guard. Unfortunately, we will not be stopping in Key West as scheduled. All scheduled tours have been cancelled and the cost will be credited to your accounts. We will remain on station until we are released."
Around 8:15 am, a male passenger (Hopkins) was making a scene in the main lobby, at the customer services desk. Security personnel took up positions in the immediate vicinity, quietly ushering other guest from the area. I saw two plainclothes personnel with handcuffs in hand. The Hopkins was yelling, cursing and threatening the staff. Eventually, the calmed him down and took him into one of the nearby offices, ending that episode of the drama.
Around 10:30 am, an announcement was made that the ship was returning to Miami for "technical reasons".
Around 11:00 am the ship held position off the entrance to the Port of Miami channel. There it was met by a small boat (20'-25'?, similar to a sport fishing boat). Two men got off the boat, each carying a large black suitcase. Then, Hopkins was escorted off the ship. I could not tell if he was restrained or not.
- - - - -
Heard: (and bear in mind, these are just the rumors that appear to be the most popular ...) -
The couple had been arguing ever since they boarded on Saturday.
They were really loud, screaming and threatening each other in their cabin, but no one reported them ("Don't want to get involved, you know.").
Around 11:15 pm, someone reported that they thought they had seen someone go overboard, from the side of the ship.
Around 11:15 pm, the yelling from the cabin ended.
Around midnight (45 minutes later) the boyfriend reported that she had jumped overboard.
In addition to the girl who "jumped", the man had also brought another girlfriend aboard, without the knowledge of the missing girlfriend; and she left the ship before we departed Fort Lauderdale.
- - - - -
The reality? Who knows? It may come out someday, but the industry will probably try to bury it Bet you ten to one that there are already at least two TV/Hollywood wriiting teams working on scripts ...
The FBI has initiated an investigation.
Run the following in your search engines - Mediterranea / overboard / Bonita Springs / Tina White / Andy Hopkins
