Suche
Mein Konto
Cruise drama: Gambler jumps overboard - $16,000 in debt!
A passenger jumped overboard in San Juan on September 7, 2025 to escape gambling debts of over $16,000.
Cruise drama: Gambler jumps overboard - $16,000 in debt!
On September 7, 2025, a shocking incident occurred in the port of San Juan, Puerto Rico, when a cruise passenger named Jey Gonzalez-Diaz jumped overboard from the ship “Rhapsody of the Seas.” The 34-year-old tried to escape his considerable debt of over 16,000 dollars (around 13,700 euros) from the on-board casino.
The incident occurred around 9:15 a.m. local time while a US Customs and Border Protection inspection was taking place on board. At 9:45 a.m., Gonzalez-Diaz was rescued by jet skiers and then brought ashore by customs officials.
Debts and concealments
The cruise passenger had a total debt of $16,710.24 (approx. 14,300 euros) to the shipping company Royal Caribbean, most of which came from his losses in the on-board casino. When he was arrested, officers found $14,600 in cash and several identification documents with different names, including a U.S. passport.
Gonzalez-Diaz stated during the investigation that he was trying to avoid high customs fees by jumping into the water. The officers also discovered that he had booked the trip under a false name. Two of the documents found came from an alleged brother, Jeremy Omar Gonzalez Diaz, who had previously been arrested for drug trafficking and weapons possession.
Legal consequences and possible penalties
The man is now accused of evading cash reporting requirements. This could cost him dearly: If convicted, he could face a fine of up to $250,000 (213,900 euros) and a prison sentence of up to five years.
The authorities are checking the background of the different identification documents and are concerned about security gaps on cruise ships. There are currently no systems in place to detect people overboard, which makes such incidents dangerous and could jeopardize the safety of passengers.
Jey Gonzalez-Diaz has been released on bail while the investigation continues and the exact circumstances surrounding his dramatic jump are investigated.
More information about this incident can be found at Focus and T Online be read.