The US Coast Guard has suspended its search for a married Louisiana dad of two who was reported missing from a Carnival cruise ship earlier this week.
Tyler Lee Barnett, 28, of Houma was reported missing by a family member Monday morning, just one day after the Carnival Glory disembarked from New Orleans for a weeklong cruise.
The search for Barnett was called off Thursday after authorities scoured more than 5,600 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico, to no avail, the Coast Guard announced.
The maritime branch was able to narrow its search area thanks to surveillance footage that showed Barnett jumping from the ship’s deck, a Carnival rep told The Post on Tuesday.
The missing man’s family has insisted he slipped accidentally.
“Never on purpose,” Barnett’s grandmother, Dirlean Tate Mason, said of her grandson’s disappearance, noting he would not leave behind his wife and 3-year-old twin daughters. “No. I just don’t believe that. Not to [die by] suicide or anything.”
Tyler Barnett, 28, was reported missing from a Carnival cruise ship Monday. Tyler Barnett/Facebook
The Coast Guard scoured more than 5,600 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico looking for Barnett, to no avail. United States Coast Guard
The Carnival Glory was only one day into its journey when Barnett vanished. AFP via Getty ImagesThe Coast Guard braved treacherous weather conditions – including up to 12-foot waves, limited visibility and gale force winds – as its members combed the waters of Louisiana for any sign of Barnett before calling off the search, the military branch said.
“Our crews battled severe weather conditions for multiple days and made every effort to find Mr. Barnett. Suspending an active search is never a decision we make lightly, and we offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Barnett’s family and friends,” Lt. Cmdr. Sean DiGeorge said in a statement.
Carnival did not immediately return The Post’s request for a comment.
