Indian ship worker is found dead on Florid beach

BY A STAFF WRITER

CLEARWATER (FL) — A 27-year old Indian, who worked on a Caribbean cruise ship, died after falling off the ship and was identified after his body washed up on a beach in the US state of Florida.

Cliford Minej of Thane, Mumbai was a worker on Holland America Line cruise ship. His body, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, drifted ashore near Clearwater Beach in Florida and was spotted by someone walking on the beach.

The ship, ‘Ryndam’, came to port in Tampa last Sunday and the police believe Minej fell off the ship that morning.

Since the captain of the ship didn’t notify authorities of Minej’s disappearance until late in the morning of the incident, the coast guard didn’t know if he had gone overboard or disembarked at the cruise terminal.

Multiple area law enforcement agencies searched land and sea and the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Minej’s death accidental.

According to a statement from Holland America Line, the ship was at the end of a 14-day trip to the Caribbean.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our crew members and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time,” the statement said.