Search efforts for a Louisiana teen who had been missing after he reportedly jumped overboard on a dare in the Bahamas this week have been suspended, officials said.
The Coast Guard announced Friday evening that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, which had been looking for 18-year-old Cameron Robbins since Wednesday, was halting its search and no longer needed assistance from the US military branch.
“We were informed by [the Royal Bahamas Defence 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,” said Lt. Cmdr. Matt Spado, a Coast Guard liaison officer.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to Cameron Robbins’ family and friends,” Spado added.
Robbins went overboard from a sunset cruise on Blackbeard’s Revenge near Athol Island Wednesday night.
There had been inclement weather reported in the area that night, according to Fox News.
The teen, who had been celebrating his Sunday graduation from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, was on a senior trip with students from several local high schools and was staying at Atlantis Paradise Island resort in Nassau.
Just four hours after their arrival, the group headed out on the pirate-themed boating excursion.
What to know about Cameron Robbins' disappearance
Cameron Robbins, 18, graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge in May and was on a trip to the Bahamas with students from several local high schools.
According to witnesses, the teen — who was apparently acting on a dare — took a plunge off a party cruise into the ocean near Athol Island at night.
Robbins was last seen splashing in the dark, “shark-infested” waters a few feet from the boat, before vanishing from view.
A chaotic video taken moments after the jump also shows the recent graduate ignoring onlookers’ pleas to grab a buoy.
The party ship remained in the area for several hours while the crew looked for Robbins.
The Coast Guard called off its own search two days later, after reportedly scouring over 325 square miles.
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The Coast Guard said Robbins was believed to have fallen overboard, but witnesses claimed that he had jumped off of the ship on a dare, WAFB reported.
Video showed Robbins splashing in the dark water just a few feet from the boat before he disappeared.
The ship remained in the area for several hours while the crew attempted to look for Robbins.
The Coast Guard said Saturday that its crews scoured over 325 square miles hunting for the missing teen.
Justin Osborne, who said he had been one of Robbins’ baseball coaches, shared on Facebook early Friday morning that the news of Robbins’ disappearance was “absolutely heartbreaking.”
“This kid is one of best kids I’ve ever had the privilege to coach. His heart was huge, always smiling, always finding best in others,” he wrote.
University Lab School Director Kevin George said Robbins had attended the school for 13 years and had been a pitcher on the school’s baseball team.
“He’s an athlete, great kid, great smile, great head of hair,” George told WBRZ. “Just one of the kids you’re so proud of when they cross the stage.”
