Search abandoned for cruise passengers who went overboard

The search for a cruise passenger who went overboard en route to the Bahamas has been abandoned.

The search was abandoned on Thursday evening after a 51-year-old man, who has not been named, fell overboard at approximately 3pm earlier that day.

The man had been on board Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Epicwas sailing northbound from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, when he went overboard.

“Authorities were immediately notified and a search and rescue operation under the guidance and supervision of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center began,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson told Cruise Hive.

“After an extensive search which was unfortunately unsuccessful, the vessel was released by the authorities to continue its journey,” the spokesman added.

Newsweek has contacted Norwegian Cruise Line for comment via email.

Why was the search interrupted?

The search was called off after search and rescue teams failed to find the man.

Cruise Hive reported that with sunset in the Bahamas on December 26 at 5:18 p.m., there were only a few hours of bright daylight available for the search operation before it became more difficult.

The ship has been cleared by the US Coast Guard to proceed with the cruise.

What do we know about the Norwegian Cruise Line incident?

It is currently not clear why the man went overboard. Norwegian Cruise Line said search and rescue operations were launched immediately, with the ship diverted and a flare thrown into the water to mark the ship’s position at the first report of an overboard.

Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam was also nearby and participated in the search.

The man who went overboard was traveling with a large group, including his family, a spokesman said. The man’s family members are now being “monitored and supported in this very challenging situation,” the spokesman added.

Cruise Hive reported that onboard announcements told passengers that the person who went overboard was wearing a blue shirt at the time of their fall.

Norwegian Epic is currently on a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage after departing from Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday.

Why it matters

The incident comes amid several cruise ship accidents this year. It is estimated that 19 people go overboard on cruise ships each year and only about four people are rescued.

Meanwhile Norwegian Epic has had multiple medical incidents aboard the current voyage, with ambulances deployed to meet the ship at its first port of call, Cozumel, Mexico, on Monday, December 23, as well as at Ocho Rios Christmas Day.

How many cruise ship accidents have there been this year?

So far in 2024, at least 19 people have gone overboard on cruise ships, of which only two survived.

The incidents, which took place at various cruise lines and locations worldwide, involved both passengers and crew members.

The latest incident occurred just days ago when Elizabeth McElmurray, 48, died on the Sky Princess on Dec. 21 as it returned to Florida from the Caribbean. Princess Cruises said she fell while trying to “jump” into the water and inadvertently landed on one of the cruise ship decks 10 stories below.

A few days earlier, on December 17, Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas issued a code OSCAR, signaling an overboard situation. At the time, the ship was nearing the end of a 12-night southern Caribbean itinerary.

Meanwhile, on December 2, a male passenger was reported missing and believed overboard from Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess as the ship returned to San Francisco after a 5-night itinerary that had included visits to San Diego and Ensenada.

What happens next

The ship will now continue its journey to the Bahamas. Search and rescue operations have now been suspended.