Search Abandoned For Cruise Passenger Who Went Overboard

17 hours ago 6

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

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

The man had been on board Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic, sailing northbound from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas when he went overboard.

"The authorities were immediately notified, and a search and rescue operation under the guidance and oversight of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center went underway," a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson told Cruise Hive.

"After an extensive search that was unfortunately unsuccessful, the ship was released by the authorities to continue its voyage," the spokesperson added.

Newsweek has contacted Norwegian Cruise Line for comment via email.

Why Was the Search Called Off?

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 couple hours of strong daylight available for the search operation to take place before it became more difficult.

The ship has been cleared by the U.S. Coast Guard to continue 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 initiated immediately, with the ship diverted and a flare tossed into the water to mark the ship's position at the first report of the overboard.

Holland America Line's Zuiderdam was also nearby and joined the search.

The man who went overboard was traveling with a large group, including his family, a spokesperson said. The man's family members are now being "attended to and supported during this very challenging situation," the spokesperson added.

Cruise Hive reported that onboard announcements told passengers that the individual 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 around four people are rescued.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Epic has had multiple medical incidents aboard the current sailing, with ambulances stationed to meet the ship at its first port of call, Cozumel, Mexico, on Monday, December 23, as well as at Ocho Rios on 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, only two of whom survived.

The incidents, which occurred on various cruise lines and locations worldwide, involved both passengers and crew members.

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

Just 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 at the end of a 5-night itinerary that had included visits to San Diego and Ensenada.