Search called off for man who went overboard as Norwegian cruise headed to Bahamas

The search for a 51-year-old man who went overboard on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship on Thursday has been called off, according to the cruise line.

The man, who has not been identified, went overboard around 3 p.m. Thursday as the ship was sailing from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to Nassau, Bahamas.

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

The ship is currently on a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage that departed Port Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 21, according to the news site Cruise Hive.

The man was traveling with a large group, and his family on board “is being attended to and supported during this very challenging situation,” the spokesperson added. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”