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Haunting image surfaces after cameron robbins jumped off ship into ‘shark-infested’ water.

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The Louisiana high school graduate who disappeared after leaping off a cruise ship into dark waters off the Bahamas last week may have met a grisly fate in the “shark-infested” area, a local official said.

The waters off Athol Island, where 18-year-old Cameron Robbins was last seen swimming after jumping off the Blackbeard’s Revenge sunset cruise on May 24, are “really shark-infested,” Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) Commodore Raymond King told the Daily Mail on Tuesday .

A chaotic video was taken moments after the jump also shows the Baton Rouge native ignoring onlookers’ pleas for him to grab a buoy and swimming in the opposite direction –prompting social media sleuths to suggest that a silvery reflection near the boat’s hull may have actually been a shark that scared him off.

“Haunting, but you can see the exact moment the shark gets him,” one Twitter user wrote alongside a screenshot of Robbins and the shadow just inches apart.

“Tragic & scary in every way.”

Another viewer argued that Robbins could be seen abandoning the life ring after he notices the shape nearby.

“He initially goes for the buoy but then turns around when he sees the shark, ultimately disappearing into the water, likely dragged down. Very sad,” they wrote .

The Blackbeard’s Revenge , which is designed to resemble a pirate ship, remained in the area for several hours while the crew attempted to look for Robbins.

The Coast Guard called off its own search two days later , after reportedly scouring over 325 square miles.

What to know about Cameron Robbins' disappearance

Cameron Robbins, 18, graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge in May and was on a trip to the Bahamas with students from several local high schools.

According to witnesses, the teen — who was apparently acting on a dare — took a plunge off a party cruise into the ocean near Athol Island at night.

Robbins was last seen splashing in the dark, “shark-infested” waters a few feet from the boat, before vanishing from view.

A chaotic video taken moments after the jump also shows the recent graduate ignoring onlookers’ pleas to grab a buoy.

The party ship remained in the area for several hours while the crew looked for Robbins.

The Coast Guard  called off its own search two days later , after reportedly scouring over 325 square miles.

Robbins disappeared three days after his graduation from University Laboratory School.

He was staying at Atlantis Paradise Island with a group of fellow seniors from other area high schools.

In the wake of the tragedy, University Lab School Director Kevin George described the former baseball star as a “great kid.”

“He’s an athlete … great smile, great head of hair,” he told WBRZ. 

“Just one of the kids you’re so proud of when they cross the stage.”

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U.S. Coast Guard ends search for Louisiana teen who went overboard in the Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard has ended their search for a Louisiana teenager who went overboard during a sunset cruise in the Bahamas on Wednesday night.

The agency announced the conclusion of its search for 18-year-old Cameron Robbins, a recent high school graduate, on Saturday after a two-day effort led by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

The agency did not clarify if a body was found.

Robbins was in the Bahamas staying at the Atlantis Paradise resort in Nassau with other teenagers from Baton Rouge to mark their high school graduations, Louisiana State University confirmed Thursday.

Robbins graduated from the University Lab High School, which operates as part of LSU, on Sunday. The trip was not a school sanctioned event, according to LSU.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force contacted the Coast Guard for assistance on Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. after Robbins fell off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship, according to a news release .

"U.S. Coast Guard District Seven deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to an agency assistance request from our partners in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force," said Lt. Commander Matthew Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas. "Our Coast Guard command center and aircrews based in Miami supported RBDF search and rescue efforts since the initial report Wednesday evening, and continued through Friday evening."

Search and rescue crews searched more than 325 square miles looking for Robbins.

The active search was suspended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force pending developments, according to the Coast Guard.

“We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," Spado said.

The agency is encouraging anyone with new information to contact the Coast Guard's District Seven.

Breaking news reporter

Michelle Acevedo is a New York-based senior editor for NBC News.

• Travel Updates

Parents of Cameron Robbins break silence after US teenager jumped off Bahamas cruise ship into shark-infested waters

The grieving parents of Cameron Robbins have broken their silence after the 18-year-old jumped off a booze cruise ship into shark-infested waters and vanished.

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Cameron Robbins’ parents said they “appreciate” the outpouring of support for their missing son Saturday, the day before a memorial for the 18-year-old who was tragically lost at sea in “shark-infested” waters late last month.

William and Shari Robbins, both 54, have been inundated with calls since Cameron jumped off a pirate-themed booze cruise ship in the Bahamas on a dare on May 24, they told The Post from their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

But the couple were sweet and cordial talking about their son, a recent high school graduate and popular baseball star described as both “funny and kind-hearted” and “intense and driven.”

“We are just mourning our son right now,” Shari Robbins told The Post. “We appreciate you calling. Maybe we will be able to talk more later.”

William Robbins added, “We appreciate everyone’s support.”

The family wrote a lovingly detailed obituary for Cameron, whom they adopted shortly after his birth in Abilene, Texas.

“Cameron Crossley Robbins was a beloved grandson, son, brother and friend. He was lost at sea after being reported missing off the coast of Athol Island in the Bahamas on the evening of May 24,” they wrote.

Robbins played sports starting at the pre-school level, and “eventually chose baseball as his first love” and was a three-year varsity letterman in high school.

“He was a tough player, battling back from multiple injuries, known to pitch through separated shoulders and broken hands,” the obituary states.

Robbins also “loved his truck and country music” and was “a big star” in the shower and with karaoke machines. The teen also frequently did late-night raids in their pantry, “where he consumed large quantities of Fruity Pebbles and popcorn.”

A memorial service for the teen has been scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother and sister, Cole and Cassie, and two grandmothers who he was very close to — as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be sent to the Christian Homes & Family Services in Abilene.

Robbins, who had graduated May 21 from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, apparently jumped overboard on a dare from Blackbeard’s Revenge, a pirate ship-style vessel.

He had just returned from a weekend fishing trip on the Louisiana Gulf Coast with his father and brother before he left for the ill-fated graduation celebration with his friends in the Bahamas.

Robbins was last seen late May 24 in the waters off Athol Island.

Haunting video footage shows the teen swimming away from a rescue buoy as onlookers shout for him to grab the device.

Online viewers have speculated they could see flashes of shark-like sea creatures, including a “fin,” in the video and Robbins was trying to get away from it.

In the video of the last moments Robbins is seen, someone can be heard yelling, “This kid f–king jumped off! Oh my f–king God! Oh, shut the f–k up! Oh, bye, bye!”

A second later, he disappeared under the surface.

The US Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force all searched the murky waters for the next two days.

More Coverage

Robbins’ family had joined searchers in the Bahamas before returning to the US Sunday, officials said.

They covered over 325 square miles with no success before calling off the search on May 26 as they had found no trace of the recent grad.

This story originally appeared on The NY Post and is republished here with permission

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Missing teen vanishes in dark ocean after jumping from Bahamas cruise

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US teen missing after going overboard on sunset cruise in the Bahamas

Cameron Robbins, 18, went overboard while on a sunset cruise Wednesday night.

A recent high school graduate from Louisiana is missing after going overboard while on a trip to the Bahamas, school officials and the United States Coast Guard said.

Cameron Robbins, who attended University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, was on a trip with a group of students when he went overboard on Wednesday night, according to school officials.

The incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. local time near the area of Athol Island, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The 18-year-old "reportedly jumped from a pleasure vessel," the Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a statement.

The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that it was assisting with search efforts for a missing U.S. citizen "believed to have fallen overboard from a sunset cruise near Nassau" on Wednesday. A Coast Guard spokesperson confirmed to ABC News that the search was for Robbins.

The teen fell off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard provided air assistance in the search and rescue mission, which was being led by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, according to Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Estrada. But on Friday evening, the Coast Guard was informed by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force that they were suspending the "active search efforts" for Robbins "pending further developments" and were no longer requesting assistance from the Coast Guard after notifying Robbins family, according to Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," Beal said in a statement.

The Coast Guard said Saturday its crews searched more than 325 square miles before concluding its search efforts.

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The Bahamas vacation was not a school-sanctioned trip but included students from several high schools in the area, including between 10 and 15 students from the Laboratory School, the school's director, Kevin George, told ABC Baton Rouge affiliate WBRZ in an interview on Thursday.

The school just held its graduation on Sunday.

George described Robbins as a "great kid" and athlete who had been with the school for 13 years, since the start of his education.

"Just one of those kids that you're so proud of once they cross the stage," George told WBRZ.

Students held a prayer circle for Robbins on Thursday morning following news that he was reported missing, holding hands outside the Laboratory School, located on the main campus of Louisiana State University.

"It's a tight-knit family," George said. "The kids reached out to us wanting to know, could they do a prayer circle. Obviously we agreed. We really appreciated their leadership in this trying time."

MORE: Carnival cruise passenger who went overboard was 'dead set' on surviving

Robbins has a sister who is a junior at the school, according to George, who said he spoke to their father on Thursday morning.

"It's just a really emotional time for us right now," George said. "Just trying to send up our prayers and give our support."

"Let's continue to pray and pray that we find Cameron safe and sound," he added.

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Teens tried to stop Cameron Robbins before he jumped off Bahamas cruise, passenger's parent says

The recent high school graduate from baton rouge, louisiana, disappeared in 'shark-infested waters'.

Video of Cameron Robbins in the water after he went overboard on a Bahamas cruise

Cameron Robbins, a Louisiana resident, was celebrating his high school graduation when he was reportedly dared to jump overboard on a cruise.

EXCLUSIVE: A group of students tried to physically stop Cameron Robbins from jumping off a Bahamas cruise ship last week after he was reportedly dared to take the leap, Fox News Digital has learned. 

Robbins, 18, was on Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise with several hundred high school graduates from Baton Rouge, Louisiana , and jumped overboard into what authorities called "shark-infested" waters near the uninhabited Athol Island, northeast of Nassau, around 9:30 p.m. on May 24. 

A woman whose son was friends with Robbins and on the boat at the time told Fox News Digital that several students tried to grab Robbins before he took the plunge, but he broke free.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said many of the students were part of a close-knit community that was in shock, disbelief, exhausted and cold as the U.S. Coast Guard , Royal Bahamas Defence Force and United Cajun Navy searched the waters until about 3 a.m. 

HAUNTING LAST WORDS SHOUTED TO BATON ROUGE TEEN AFTER HE WENT OVERBOARD AND VANISHED

Cameron Robbins' last Instagram post from his graduation. (Instagram/Cam_Robbins3)

The small, pirate-lookalike cruise ship was anchored throughout the night, and the students were stuck at sea near the uninhabited island in what Royal Bahamas Defense Force Commodore Raymond King called "shark-infested waters."

Experts have told Fox News Digital there is a vast array of marine life, including dolphins, tiger sharks and bull sharks in those waters that feed off the scraps from the boats. 

BATON ROUGE TEEN STILL MISSING AT SEA AMID SPECULATION ABOUT ‘SHARK-INFESTED’ WATERS

A bag holding baseball equipment hangs outside the home of Cameron Robbins in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Thursday. Robbins, a recent high school graduate and baseball player, went missing after going overboard while on a celebratory cruise in the Bahamas last week, according to reports. (KAR/Mega for Fox News Digital )

"This was a booze cruise, and they were on their way back when this happened," the one student's mother said. "My son texted me when it happened, saying, ‘Cameron jumped off. They can’t find him.' They were out there until 2, 3 in the morning. 

"It was terrible weather that night. The kids were cold, wet and traumatized. The girls were in bikinis and bathing suits. The guys were giving them their shirts. It was a bad time to bring drunk 18-year-olds out into waters near this island where there's nothing."

WATCH THE VIRAL CELLPHONE VIDEO

Cameron Robbins, 18, went overboard during a cruise in the Bahamas while celebrating his high school graduation. (Drew Sutton/Facebook )

The two-day, 325-mile search for Robbins was called off Friday night. "We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," the U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement.

The viral cellphone video of Robbins in the water, which was seen over 10 million times, went through virtually every type of edit on social media after a speculation-fueled narrative that Robbins encountered a shark gripped people's curiosities. 

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General view of the Louisiana State University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Thursday. Cameron Robbins, a recent graduate of the school, went missing after going overboard while on a celebratory cruise in the Bahamas last week, according to reports. (KAR/Mega for Fox News Digital )

The video appears to show a shadowy object in the water move toward the recent high school grad, who was swimming toward a life preserver before changing direction. 

However, the cellphone footage is too dark and chaotic to definitively show what happened, and the theory is no longer officially being investigated at the request of Robbins' family, Brian Trascher, spokesperson for the United Cajun Navy, told Fox News Digital on Friday. 

A shadowy object, which people on social media speculated could be a shark, appears to move toward Cameron Robbins after he reportedly jumped overboard from a Bahamas cruise. (Twitter)

Cameron Robbins, right. (Instagram/Cam_Robbins3)

"None of the experts consulted can definitely say what's in the video due to the quality and length of the video," Trascher said. "The Robbins family has requested that we not entertain that theory any longer, so our official position is that we don't know what happened while Cam was in the water."

Authorities officially designated Robbins as "lost at sea," which is the same as a death certificate, and a memorial service for Robbins will be held Sunday at Broadmoor United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge.

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The cruise was not sanctioned by University Laboratory School, where Robbins had just graduated. It was planned by an independent company called GradWeek , which released the following statement to the media last week:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Robbins Family during this incredibly difficult time. Out of respect for the Robbins family’s privacy, we feel it’s inappropriate to comment on the details surrounding the night of the incident. 

"Bahamian Authorities have been conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and can provide the most accurate information once they have completed their investigation."

WATCH BRIAN TRASCHER'S TUESDAY INTERVIEW ON "AMERICA'S NEWSROOM"

The high school baseball standout graduated from Baton Rouge's U-High on May 21, and his last posts on Instagram include pictures of him surrounded by his family and friends. 

Kevin George, the director of the school, told local news outlet WBRZ that Robbins was a "special kid."

He has "been here throughout his entire educational career. He's an athlete, great kid, great smile, great head of hair. Just one of the kids you're so proud of when they cross the stage," George said.

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Sunday's memorial service will begin at 4 p.m., with visitation hours between 2 and 4 p.m.

In lieu of services, a donation in Robbins' name may be made to Christian Homes & Family Services in Abilene, Texas.

Chris Eberhart is a crime and US news reporter for Fox News Digital. Email tips to [email protected] or on Twitter @ChrisEberhart48.

The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.

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He Was Lost At Sea. People Are Making Content Off His Viral Death

• By CT Jones

The family of Cameron Robbins remembers the Baton Rouge, Louisiana high school graduate as an intense, driven, funny, and kind-hearted son. But on the internet, the loss of the 18-year-old — after he jumped off of a cruise ship on an apparent dare — has gone from tragic accident to ripe content mine, the latest example of a tragedy going through the true-crime machine on TikTok . 

It’s been 12 days since Robbins was last seen. Units from the U.S. Coast Guard, The United Cajun Navy (a volunteer emergency rescue service), and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force all searched for Robbins but were unsuccessful. On May 27, after searching over 325 square miles of water, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force called off the search and listed Robbins as lost at sea, which declared him legally deceased. “We want to thank the Bahamas government, the U.S. Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, and Congressman Garrett Graves for everything they have done for us,” the Robbins family said in a statement to WAFB. “In this time of grief, we thank our family, friends and well wishers for granting us the privacy we need to properly remember our son and mourn his loss.” 

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@brycenswne When your drunk and something bad happens like this it immediately makes you wake up and realize whats going on. That was never a friend. #cameronrobbins #fyp ♬ Never felt so alone – ୨୧

@xmia.yasminx #cameronrobbins #fyp I know they were drunk and probably didnt grasp the severity of the situation but to just record and say bye bye knowing he waw struggling breaks my heart. ♬ Never felt so alone – ୨୧

“None of the experts consulted can definitely say what’s in the video due to the quality and length of the video,” Cajun Navy spokesperson Brian Trascher said. “The Robbins family has requested that we not entertain that theory any longer, so our official position is that we don’t know what happened while Cam was in the water.”

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“People are looking for ways to understand why this terrible thing happened,” Douglas says. “A simple explanation is often not very appealing for such a significant event. People assume that a big event must also have a big or more sinister cause, which is why conspiracy theories can be appealing under these circumstances.” 

Douglas adds that while conspiracy theories can be meant as a salve, they do have real-world consequences. And while Robbins is no longer here, he is survived by a grieving community — all of whom will have access to the things people are saying about their loved one. “He will be missed desperately by his family and friends,” his obituary read, “who will carry their cherished memories of him to eternity.” For Robbins’ sake, and the sake of his family, the internet should let him rest. 

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Video shows chaos after teen jumps from cruise, search called off, bahamas nightmare vid shows chaos after teen jumps from cruise ... search called off.

A multi-day search for a Louisiana teen who jumped from a sunset cruise in the Bahamas has come to its tragic end -- and the last known sighting of him was caught on harrowing video.

Footage has surfaced showing 18-year-old Cameron Robbins -- who'd just graduated high school in Baton Rouge -- swimming in the open seas at night near Athol Island last week ... where he was on a sunset cruise with a bunch of his peers celebrating their achievement.

Word is Cameron went overboard on his own accord, and not just that -- but, apparently, it was on a dare. In the clip, you can kinda tell his buddies were getting a kick out of it.

That is until he vanished behind the boat and out of view of everyone, who began screaming at him to grab a life preserver that'd been thrown to him -- which was pretty far away, and he didn't end up reaching it. Once he disappeared, everyone began to panic.

Since he went missing, a multi-day search was undertaken by both Bahamian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard -- but Robbins was never found, and the search has now been called off after several unsuccessful days of scouring the area for any sign of him.

It sounds like Cameron is presumed dead, as the Coast Guard issued a statement saying ... "We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins' family and friends." His family flew into the Bahamas last week, and prayer vigils have been held for him for a few days now.

His family has also spoken out ... "The Bahamas government has called off the rescue for Cameron and we are returning to Baton Rouge. We want to thank the Bahamas government, the U.S. Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, and Congressman Garrett Graves for everything they have done for us. In this time of grief, we thank our family, friends, and well-wishers for granting us the privacy we need to properly remember our son and mourn his loss."

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Coast Guard ends search for missing Louisiana teen who fell overboard in the Bahamas

The U.S. Coast Guard has ended their search for a Louisiana teenager who fell overboard from a sunset cruise in the Bahamas on Wednesday night.

Cameron Robbins, 18, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was staying at the Atlantis Paradise resort in Nassau with other teenagers to celebrate their recent high school graduation, WBRZ reported. Robbins had just graduated from University Lab School a few days earlier.

The group landed in the Bahamas on Wednesday and later went on a pirate-themed sunset cruise with a company called Blackbeard’s Revenge. According to a news release , Royal Bahamas Defence Force personnel contacted Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders on Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. and reported that a man fell off the Blackbeard's Revenge sunset cruise ship and entered the water.

The ship was near Athol Island an uninhabited island located northeast of Nassau, according to WBRZ. Videos show Robbins jumping from the boat and swimming with a life preserver nearby. 

The Royal Bahamas Police Force is investigating claims that Robbins jumped overboard as part of a dare, according to WBRZ. 

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The boat stayed in the area that night for hours after the incident as people looked for Robbins.

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The Coast Guard assisted the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in search efforts by deploying aircrews.

The agency announced it was concluding its search on Friday evening after covering over 325 square miles.

"We were informed by the RBDF this evening that they were suspending the active search efforts pending further developments, and were not requesting further Coast Guard assistance after notifying the Robbins family," said Lieutenant Commander Matthew Spado, Coast Guard liaison officer to the Bahamas, in a statement. 

"We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends," Spado added.

The family of Robbins flew out to the Bahamas on Thursday, WAFB reported.

"The Bahamas government has called off the rescue for Cameron and we are returning to Baton Rouge," the family said in a statement. "We want to thank the Bahamas government, the US Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, and Congressman Garrett Graves for everything they have done for us. In this time of grief, we thank our family, friends, and well-wishers for granting us the privacy we need to properly remember our son and mourn his loss."

Going overboard on a cruise is a rare occurrence, according to experts. Between 2009 and 2019, 212 overboard incidents were reported worldwide. Of those, only 48 were rescued. Typically, tall railings help prevent accidents. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]

20-year-old man missing after jumping off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, report says

• A 20-year-old man on holiday with his family went overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise. 
• The man, who's been missing since early Thursday morning, may have jumped, a report said. 
• The US Coast Guard has launched a search operation. 

A 20-year-old man who was vacationing with his family on a cruise may have jumped overboard, The New York Post reported.

Royal Caribbean confirmed that a passenger, whose identity has not been revealed, went overboard near The Bahamas at about 4 a.m. on Thursday and has been missing since then.

The US Coast Guard launched a search for the passenger on Thursday.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson told Business Insider that the cruise line's "Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time."

Bryan Sims, a fellow cruise passenger, told The New York Post that he'd hung out with the passenger in the hot tub until 3:30 a.m. Sims said the man appeared to be "pretty drunk."

Sims told the Post that after leaving the hot tub, they encountered the passenger's father while approaching the elevators.

"His dad was fussing at him for being drunk," Sims said.

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Deborah Morrison, another passenger on board the cruise, told the Post that "there was a lot of yelling and that the crew was alerted immediately."

"The ship's crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the US Coast Guard, who has taken over the search," the Royal Caribbean spokesperson said.

#Breaking @USCG crews are searching for a 20-year-old man who went overboard from the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship 57 miles from Great Inagua this morning. USCG Cutter Seneca and Air Station Miami HC-144 crews are conducting the search. #USCG #SAR pic.twitter.com/zZPpKOdyCn — USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) April 4, 2024

The Liberty of the Seas departed from South Florida and was 57 miles from Great Inagua in The Bahamas when the passenger went overboard.

The cruise ship has 18 decks and can accommodate up to 3,634 passengers. It's served by a crew of about 1,300.

The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are extremely low .

In 2023, about 31 million passengers traveled on a cruise, and at least 10 people went overboard, with two of them surviving, Business Insider reported .

"Even one incident is one too many," a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association told Business Insider, adding that "the vast majority of cases are either reckless behavior or some form of intentional act. People don't just inadvertently fall over the side of a ship."

Last month, a 23-year-old man who felt seasick fell overboard from the MSC Euribia cruise ship while crossing the North Sea in Europe and was presumed dead.

In December, an MSC Cruises passenger jumped from one of its ships while sailing from Europe to South America.

According to a CLIA report, only 28.2% of passengers who fell overboard between 2009 and 2019 were successfully rescued.

Watch: Sub taking tourists to see the Titanic goes missing

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Father of Florida cruise passenger, 20, who jumped off Royal Caribbean ship believes his son is still alive: report

T he father of the 20-year-old passenger who jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last Thursday in a reportedly drunken, impulsive leap believes his son is still alive nearly a week later.

Francel Parker, dad of missing Levion Parker, told The Daily Sun that he believes his child — whom he called a master diver — is still alive in the waters off the Bahamas.

“As soon as he went off the side, I prayed over him. I was confident the prayers I said over my son were heard. I stand on the word of God. I believe he is alive,” Francel Parker said to the local Florida paper Wednesday.

The US Coast Guard called off its search for the North Port man a day earlier.

The younger Parker allegedly jumped off the 18-story Liberty of the Seas ship at around 4 a.m. in front of his helpless dad and younger brother after getting into an argument with his father, witnesses previously told The Post.

But Francel, who runs an AC business in Port Charlotte, told the local newspaper that he wasn’t arguing with Levion and that his son wasn’t trying to take his own life.

He said Levion is a skilled diver who works on a commercial fishing boat and is demanding to know how his underage son was given alcohol on the four-day cruise to Cuba and the Bahamas’ Grand Inagua Island.

“We don’t drink,” Francel said. “I’d like to know how my son was served so much alcohol.”

Another passenger onboard the cruise who witnessed Levion’s heart-stopping jump said that Francel was “fussing at him for being drunk.”

Bryan Sims told The Post that he was hanging out with Levion and his 18-year-old brother Seth in the hotel tub of the ship in the early hours of April 4 before going their separate ways.

After Sims had used the restroom and dried off, he bumped into the brothers and their father near the elevators.

“As we were walking from the hot tub back to the elevators, his dad and brother were walking towards us. His dad was fussing at him for being drunk, I guess,” Sims said of the moment before Parker jumped.  

“When we got to them, he said to his dad, ‘I’ll fix this right now.’ And he jumped out the window in front of us all,” Sims said, calling what he witnessed “surreal.”

Another cruise guest described the frantic chaos that followed.

“There was a lot of yelling, and the crew was alerted immediately,” Deborah Morrison, told The Post.

“His family was horrified. Just beside themselves. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re going through.”

Francel told The Daily Sun that he threw six life rings off the ship in hopes of saving his son before the massive boat was able to come to a stop about 20 minutes later.

Royal Caribbean said it “immediately” launched search boats to look for the 20-year-old and alerted the Coast Guard, which later took over the search.

At least 406 people on major cruise lines and ferries have gone overboard between 2000 and 2024, according to data collected by retired professor and cruise industry researcher Ross Klein.

Death rates among overboard passengers and crew members vary significantly among cruise lines, but even the safest cruise companies were only able to rescue about 40% of people who fall or jump off the ship, Klein told the Washington Post in July.