Danish Pydatalli, 23, was on his third contract with Royal Caribbean when tragedy struck. The ambitious young man from Mauritius had always dreamed of working on cruise ships to secure a brighter future for himself and his family. But on December 17, while aboard the Vision of the Seas en route to Baltimore, Danish went overboard.
“I stay by my phone, waiting for a call, an answer on what exactly happened,” says Soogrim Pydatalli, 58, Danish’s father, for Defi Media. The news of Danish’s disappearance has plunged the family into anguish, an unanswered questions surrounding the incident. “My son had left to move forward in life. He had plans. He was ambitious,” adds Soogrim.
This was not Danish’s first time working on a cruise ship. He had previously completed two contracts, using his earnings to build and improve his family’s home. This third contract was supposed to be the final step in completing the house and fulfilling his dreams, including purchasing a car. On December 5, Danish departed Mauritius, stopping in France before joining the Vision of the Seas in the United States as a bar waiter.
Danish regularly kept in touch with his family, sharing updates about his work and experiences on the ship. Their last conversation, just days before the tragedy, showed no signs of distress. “He seemed happy,” recalls Soogrim. But on December 17, the family’s calls went unanswered—an unusual occurrence that raised their concern. Later that day, they received the devastating news that Danish had fallen overboard.
Conflicting Accounts and Unanswered Questions
The family’s grief is compounded by confusion and conflicting information. Danish had submitted his resignation and planned to return home at the ship’s next stop, reports 5Plus. The family has heard rumors that he may have been cleaning windows at the time of the incident and that rough seas might have contributed to his fall. They are also questioning whether proper safety equipment was provided. “Did he slip? Did he have safety gear? We want to know what happened.”
The Search Efforts
Following the incident, the Vision of the Seas crew activated a maritime distress signal, and search operations were launched as per international safety protocols. The local coast guard later took over, but as of now, no trace of Danish has been found. The family continues to hold onto hope but struggles with the pain of uncertainty.
The family is also fighting against speculation that Danish’s disappearance might have been a suicide. “Would he break his contract to return home, only to throw himself into the sea?” Soogrim asks. “He had plans to finish his house and buy a car. Would someone with so many plans end their life?”
A Plea for Help
Soogrim is calling on fellow Mauritians who worked aboard the Vision of the Seas to come forward with any information that might help the family understand what happened. “Help us. Give us the right information to ease our suffering,” he pleads. “A parent is not supposed to mourn their child. It’s supposed to be the other way around. How can we grieve when he’s missing, and we don’t even know if we’ll find him?”
The family has alerted local authorities and is seeking the support of the Mauritian government to ensure the case is investigated. For now, they remain in limbo, clinging to hope while grappling with heartbreak.
