Search begins for passenger who reportedly fell off Carnival cruise ship near Bahamas

The Coast Guard is searching for a woman who reportedly fell overboard today from the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship, about 27 miles southwest of Freeport, Bahamas.

The Coast Guard says a 32-year-old woman was reportedly seen falling overboard around 2:30am from the 11th deck.

The Coast Guard is searching the area with planes and boats.

The woman was least seen wearing a white dress with a pink floral pattern.

The Carnival Ecstasy's last port of call was in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday. Their next port of call is scheduled to be in Charleston, South Carolina on Thursday.

Carnival released this statement:

Statement from Carnival Cruise Line

"Early this morning, a 32-year-old female guest was witnessed jumping overboard from the cruise ship Carnival Ecstasy. The ship was approximately 15 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama island. Man overboard procedures were initiated immediately along with notification to the U.S. Coast Guard. Cruise ship personnel have been participating in the search and rescue operation throughout the morning. At 9 a.m., USCG released the cruise ship to resume its course for Charleston. USCG remains on site to continue the search. The company's CareTeam is providing assistance and support to the missing guest's family on board and our thoughts and prayers are with her and family and loved ones during this difficult time."

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