Sean Norton

“The only thing he said to me was, ‘Thank you. I thought I was gonna die,’”

Sean Norton · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-08

Norton said the rescued crew member, who identified himself as a pianist on Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, had few words after being pulled from the water.

“You have this crazy super El Niño year. This guy was in the water for probably 10 hours, but the water’s 76 degrees,”

Sean Norton · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-08

Norton attributed the man's survival after extended time in the water to unusually warm ocean temperatures.

“A different year, no way he makes it.”

Sean Norton · said date not stated · reported 2026-11-08

Norton said the man was in the water for probably 10 hours but survived due to warm El Niño ocean temperatures.