Coast Guard: Girl, 10, drowns in pool aboard cruise ship

A 10-year-old girl drowned in a swimming pool aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship off the Carolinas and the ship immediately sailed to a nearby port in Florida, the U.S. Coast Guard said Monday.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Nate Littlejohn told The Associated Press that the girl drowned Sunday afternoon aboard the Norwegian Gem while it was in Atlantic waters some 75 miles east of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Littlejohn said ship's officials reported the death to the Coast Guard and that the vessel then sailed to Port Canaveral, Florida, arriving about noon Monday. He didn't identify the child or give further details of circumstances surrounding the death.

The cruise line confirmed the death of a 10-year-old girl in a statement.

"We are extremely saddened to have learned that a guest passed away on Sunday aboard the Norwegian Gem," said the statement emailed by Vanessa Picariello, a spokeswoman for Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Lines.

"On Sunday afternoon, the ship's medical team responded to an emergency call from the pool deck, as a ten-year-old female guest was reported unresponsive. The team quickly administered CPR and full emergency care. After extensive efforts, the guest could not be revived," the statement said.

It did not elaborate on what happened.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the family during this very difficult time. Norwegian's care team is providing full assistance and support to the family," the statement added.

Picariello said the Norwegian Gem had left New York on Saturday on a scheduled seven-day cruise to Florida and the Bahamas.