In the early morning hours of May 17, 2022, a distressing event unfolded in the waters of Alaska. Selena Pau Pres, a 40-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, was a passenger on the M/V Celebrity Solstice cruise ship. As the vessel sailed through the upper Lynn Canal, approximately 20 miles northwest of Juneau, Selena went overboard. The ship's cameras captured the moment she went into the water at around 3:00 a.m.
At the time of the incident, the water temperature was a frigid 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
The captain of the Celebrity Solstice notified the U.S. Coast Guard of the situation at approximately 3:00 a.m. A search and rescue operation was promptly launched, involving a helicopter from Air Station Sitka, a response boat from Juneau, and the Coast Guard Cutter Chandeleur. The cruise ship's crew also deployed search boats to aid in the effort. For over nine hours, rescue crews scoured 68 square nautical miles of the Lynn Canal. Despite the extensive search, they were unable to locate Selena. Tragically, considering the water temperature and other environmental factors, the estimated survival time was just over six hours. With heavy hearts, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the active search.
Following the suspension of the search, the Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Bureau of Investigation initiated a death investigation into the circumstances surrounding Selena's disappearance. The cruise ship, after the search was called off, continued on its scheduled itinerary. The incident left many questions unanswered, and the cruise line has faced scrutiny regarding the events leading up to the tragic fall. The case serves as a somber reminder of the potential dangers at sea and the profound loss experienced by Selena's loved ones. Her body was never recovered.Last Seen: May 17, 2022
