Royal Caribbean pianist spends nine hours treading water after going overboard

• A Royal Caribbean cruise ship pianist has been rescued after spending about nine hours treading water 20 miles off the California coast.
• Two Newport Beach fishermen spotted the crew member “in total shock” in the middle of the ocean on Friday morning while fishing for marlin.
• The fishermen pulled the man out of the ocean before putting out an emergency call to Newport Beach lifeguards.
• Unusually warm water temperatures of 76 degrees Fahrenheit, brought on by a strong El Niño, played a crucial role in the man's survival, one of the fisherman said.
• The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the rescued man was taken to hospital in a stable condition and said that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

IN FULL

Cruise ship employee found by fishermen treading water 20 miles off the California coast