FBI Investigating Cruise Ship Disappearance

The FBI and US Coast Guard are investigating how 50 year old Michelle Vilborg went overboard the Holiday cruise ship.

Vilborg was reported missing late Monday night after another guest on the ship reported hearing a splash, according to a statement from Carnival Cruise Line.

"Obviously we're gonna have to talk to anybody who saw anything, heard anything, anybody who might have any input into what might have happened on the ship," said Angela Tobon, a spokesperson for the FBI.

Tobon would not comment on details of the case, including whether there are any witnesses. Investigators have not yet said where on the ship they believe Vilborg went overboard.

Michelle Vilborg and her husband, Sven, were on the cruise celebrating her birthday. The couple's son says Sven Vilborg was asleep in the cabin when he was awaken by an alarm. A headcount of passengers and crew members on the Holiday revealed Michelle Vilborg was nowhere to be found.

The US Coast Guard is continuing its search for the missing passenger. The ship was sailing 70 miles south, southwest of Pensacola when officials believe Vilborg went overboard.

Lieutenant Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson for the Coast Guard, says the cruise ship's captain and crew did everything right. Mitchell says when the crew realized a passenger went overboard, they immediately lowered a small life boat equipped with a strobe light, so they could follow the current. The crew then lowered two more boats with crew members to begin the search.

The Holiday stayed in the area for 12 hours before continuing on to Cozumel, Mexico Tuesday evening.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Coast Guard was continuing to search an area 28 miles wide.

Vilborg's son and daughter arrived in Cozumel this afternoon to be with their father.

The Holiday, which accommodates up to 1452 passengers and 680 crew members, is scheduled to return to Mobile Saturday.

The ship is 728 feet long and 91 feet, according to a local travel agency's website. There are nine decks on the boat, and the vessel cruises at 21 knots.