Louisiana high school baseball standout who went overboard Bahamas cruise ship presumed dead
An 18-year-old high school baseball standout who went overboard a cruise in the Bahamas while celebrating his high school graduation is presumed dead despite rescue efforts.
Cameron Robbins was on a graduation trip to the Bahamas with classmates after graduating from University Lab School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was a standout baseball player.
U.S. Coast Guard announced Saturday that it was ending a two-day search for Robbins, who went missing on May 27. Video of the incident taken from the boat deck shows someone in the ocean swimming at night near a life preserver, then disappearing from the frame.
Robbins was staying with friends at the Atlantis Paradise resort in Nassau, Bahamas, NBC News reported. It is unclear whether or not a body was found.
“He’s an athlete, great kid, great smile, great head of hair,” University Lab School Director Kevin George told the Baton Rouge television station WBRZ. “Just one of the kids you’re so proud of when they cross the stage.”
Robbins was a right-handed pitcher, short stop and a utility player who had not committed to play in college, according to a profile on Perfect Game.
He reportedly had plans to attend Louisiana State University in the fall. University Lab School is K-12 college prep school operated by LSU. The school held a prayer vigil for Robbins last week.
The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted Wednesday and searched more than 325 square miles using an Ocean Sentry plane and helicopters to aid the rescue efforts.
"We were informed by the (Royal Bahamas Defense Force) this evening that they were suspending the active search efforts pending further developments, and were not requesting further Coast Guard assistance after notifying the Robbins family," Coast Guard officer Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Spado said in a press release. "We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends.”
