Carnival Cruise passenger rescued by Coast Guard after potentially 15 hours in water

A passenger aboard a Carnival Cruise ship reportedly survived up to 15 hours in the Gulf of Mexico after falling overboard before being rescued by lifesaving personnel, according to the media reports. 

The unnamed passenger was reported as missing by his sister at noon on Thanksgiving more than 12 hours after he reportedly disappeared. The man had left his sister at one of the ship's bars to go use the bathroom. 

The ship, Carnival's Valor, quickly turned around to assist in a search-and-recovery effort. The man was located in the water after having treaded water for as much as 15 hours. 

Authorities said he was responsive when pulled from the gulf; he was subsequently rushed to the hospital for evaluation.

“[It’s] just one of those Thanksgiving miracles,”  US Coast Guard Lt. Seth Gross told CNN of the rescue.