Coast Guard crews search for man missing from cruise ship

The U.S. Coast Guard says a helicopter crew found and recovered the unresponsive elderly man.

A search is underway off southwest Vancouver Island for a 73-year-old man who went into the water early this morning from a cruise ship.

Coast Guard crews responded to an emergency call from a cruise ship reporting a possible man overboard off the coast of Washington state.

"We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim".

"Any time we are unable to accomplish our goal of saving lives, we are deeply saddened", said Coast Guard Capt. M.M. Balding in a statement.

"She was woken by a breeze coming from the balcony door that was cracked open", said petty officer Ali Flockerzi.

The ship's captain also confirmed to USCG that there is video footage showing the passenger "jumping" from the eighth-deck balcony at around 4:15 am.

At least one Canadian plane has been assigned to the search, but officials with the Vancouver-Island-based Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre says it is not handling the case since it happened in US waters.

The Seven Seas Mariner sails between Vancouver, B.C., and ports in Alaska.