The Coast Guard is currently searching for a Citrus County man who fell off a Carnival Victory cruise ship Wednesday morning in the Gulf of Mexico near Cuba.

  • Floral City man reportedly went overboard from Carnival Victory
  • Ship was 33 miles northwest of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba
  • Coast Guard air crew, cutter searching for Brandon Paul

Officials said Brandon Paul, 23, from Floral City, reportedly went overboard from the eighth deck of the cruise ship around 3 a.m.

The ship was 33 miles northwest of Pinar Del Rio, Cuba.

The cruise ship and the Coast Guard have launched several searches for Paul.

In a statement the Coast Guard said, "The ship’s command immediately began taking actions to turn the ship around and begin search and rescue operations." 

Cuban search and rescue authorities are also assisting in the search efforts. 

The cruise ship is based year round in Miami and was traveling between Key West and Cozumel on a four-day cruise.