New York woman goes overboard on Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship near Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Coast Guard is searching for a woman from upstate New York who reportedly fell overboard from the Carnival Ecstasy cruise ship near the Bahamas Wednesday.

The Coast Guard said 32-year-old Rina Patel of Interlaken was reportedly seen falling overboard around 2:30 a.m. from the 11th deck. The ship was about 27 miles southwest of Freeport, Bahamas.

The Coast Guard is searching the area with planes and boats.

A person nearby posted this photo of the Coast Guard searching for the woman:

Patel was least seen wearing a white dress with a pink floral pattern.

The Carnival Ecstasy's last port of call was in Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday. Their next port of call is scheduled to be in Charleston, South Carolina on Thursday.

Carnival released this statement:

"Early this morning, a 32-year-old female guest was witnessed jumping overboard from the cruise ship Carnival Ecstasy. The ship was approximately 15 miles off the coast of Grand Bahama island. Man overboard procedures were initiated immediately along with notification to the U.S. Coast Guard. Cruise ship personnel have been participating in the search and rescue operation throughout the morning. At 9 a.m., USCG released the cruise ship to resume its course for Charleston. USCG remains on site to continue the search. The company's CareTeam is providing assistance and support to the missing guest's family on board and our thoughts and prayers are with her and family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Keep checking abc7NY for the latest on this developing story.