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September 1, 2023 | 9:23 PM
The passenger who fell off the world’s largest cruise ship this week has been identified as a 19-year-old college student from Washington state. His family said he was vacationing with friends at the time.
Sigmund Lopich, known to his loved ones as “Boi-Boi,” was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas when he fell off the coast of Cuba on Tuesday, according to his sister Savannah.
“He is a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle, a nephew, a friend, a buddy, a classmate, a colleague, a neighbor!!!” Distraught brothers he wrote on Facebook.
“I just want my brother back.”
Savannah said Sigmund was enjoying a trip with friends when he fell from the 230,000-ton vessel around 9 p.m. on the second day of a seven-day voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida.
She said he was known as a “demure” child and was “always calm and collected,” which made the tragedy even more incomprehensible to his family.
He hasn’t been seen in the three days since he disappeared beneath the dark waves, and authorities have reportedly given up hope.
“I have heard from Cuban officials that the ocean search is over. It continues only on the coast and on land. I have a strong feeling that they will conclude this search,” Savannah said. he told Insider.
“I’m very hopeful if we can open.” [the] I need to search the ocean again…and have it open again. ”
The Lopich family has been kept largely in the dark about Sigmund’s disappearance, the siblings said.
Royal Caribbean has declined to say how long the ship’s crew searched for the teenage boy, but industry blogs say rescuers were in the spotlight and out of sight after the ship turned around and headed back on course. The report said it took about three hours to search the waves using small boats and lifeguards.
“Search parties need to keep looking for our Boi Boi!!!!” Savannah wrote. “I need answers and I need updated information!!”
“We are so far away from him. Please let them know this so we can bring him home!! Please Lord!!!!! Please, he has yet to even have a life. I am not alive, Lord.”
Royal Caribbean previously said it was working with the U.S. Coast Guard, but the military confirmed to the Post that search and rescue responsibilities fall under Cuban jurisdiction.
The USCG will conduct an investigation into the incident once the giant ship returns to U.S. waters, a spokesperson said.
Wonder of the Seas is 1,188 feet long with 18 decks and can accommodate approximately 7,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas will break Wonder’s record when it enters service next year.
Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.