Search over for cruise ship passenger

MOBILE, Ala. - The search is over for the Bay Minette woman who fell off a Carnival Cruise ship. After nearly 48 hours, the Coast Guard suspended its search for 50-year-old Michelle Vilborg.

Vilborg fell off the ship the night of June 15. It happened about 75 miles south of Pensacola. The Coast Guard's search covered more than 3200 square miles, larger than the state of Delaware.

"It's one of the most difficult decisions we make in suspending a case," said Capt. Steven Poulin, the Sector Commander for the U.S. Coast Guard. "We searched a huge body of water, searched diligently. We have high confidence if Ms. Vilborg was in the area we would've recovered her safely."

Family Reaction

The Vilborg family flew to Mexico to be with Michelle's husband who was also on the cruise. Earlier in the week, Fox Ten News talked to her son, Erik.

"Its hard to think of your mother being out in the water," he said. "I want to think she's on the ship because they haven't found her. You just think of the good things that could happen."

Coast Guard's Search

Capt. Poulin said search conditions were optimal. The sea was calm, and winds were between 10 to 15 knots.

"We had very good search conditions, great visibility. The water temperature was about 83 degrees, which our tables indicate has a survivability of greater than 36 hours. Hypothermia was not a factor here."

While the search is suspended, the Coast Guard said it hasn't been called off. If they discover new information about Vilborg's whereabouts, they will resume searching. Capt. Poulin added, "We did some really complex search planning that gave us the confidence, if she was alive, we would've found her."

The F.B.I. is now investigating the case. Agents said the investigation is routine.