Big Island police have opened a missing person case in connection with a cruise ship employee who disappeared while swimming at Boiling Pots in Hilo.

In response to a 1:50 p.m. call, police responded to Boiling Pots, where Ryan J. Ritzel, 24, of Soquel, California, had been swimming with five coworkers. When his companions discovered he was missing, they called 911.

Ritzel is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-9, with a slim build, short brown hair and blue eyes. He was wearing white and blue swimming trunks.

Fire Department personnel have been searching the area but have been unable to locate him.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.