Search suspended for Norwegian Cruise Line passengers who went overboard

The search for a man who fell from a Norwegian Cruise Line ship the day after Christmas has been called off.

The Norwegian Epic was sailing from Jamaica to the Bahamas on Thursday, December 26, when the 51-year-old passenger went overboard at around

The ship departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, December 22 for a seven-day trip across the western Caribbean, NBC affiliate WESH reported.

Authorities “were immediately notified” of the incident “and a search and rescue operation under the guidance and supervision of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center” was launched, the Norwegian Cruise Line spokesman said.

Another ship, Holland America’s Zuiderdamjoined the search for the man before it was called off, according to Cruise Hive.

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“After an extensive search that was unfortunately unsuccessful, (Epic) was released by authorities to continue its voyage,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said in the statement.

The man who went overboard was on a cruise with a “large” group of family members when the incident occurred, according to the spokesman.

The family members on the ship are now being “cared for and supported in this very challenging situation,” they added.

Additional information about the person who went overboard has not been released to the public.

The spokesman said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this difficult time.”