The search for a 51-year-old passenger who fell overboard from the cruise ship “Norwegian Epic” was called off after 48 hours despite extensive search efforts.

The man, who was traveling with his family, fell overboard around 3 p.m. Thursday as the ship was en route from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

According to Norwegian Cruise Line, authorities were immediately notified and a search and rescue operation led by the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center was launched.

Despite extensive efforts, the search ultimately proved unsuccessful and the ship was allowed to continue its journey after being cleared by authorities.

The man was reportedly traveling with a large group, including his family. The cruise line said the family members are “being cared for and supported in this very challenging situation.”

Passengers aboard the Norwegian Epic shared videos on social media that showed the ship circling the area where the man fell overboard, as well as the reaction of nearby ships, including Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam.

A passenger aboard the Norwegian Epic filmed the aftermath and said in a video: “They put a flare, they’re circulating. “We did a whole circle looking for the guy who jumped off the boat.” Another passenger noted in a separate video: “A man jumped off the boat.” The ship had used a flare to mark the location of the incident while searching for the man.

The nearby Holland America Line Zuiderdam, also on a Caribbean cruise, was seen heading to the site to assist in the search.

The Zuiderdam, also on a seven-day Caribbean route, was reportedly steaming toward the location after Norwegian Epic reported the man overboard. To mark the ship’s position during the search, a flare was fired into the water.

Announcements on board informed passengers that the person was wearing a blue shirt at the time of the fall. The ship, which left Port Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday, was diverted to Nassau, Bahamas, as a result of the incident.

The search ended before sunset on Thursday. Passengers who shared videos of the incident expressed hope for a miracle. A woman filmed and said: “I hope there is a miracle and they can find him.”

The incident comes just days after another tragic incident involving a passenger who fell from the Sky Princess cruise ship on December 21st. Elizabeth McElmurray, 48, died after falling from the upper deck of the Sky Princess as it returned to Florida from the Caribbean.

Authorities report that McElmurray was attempting to jump into the water when she accidentally landed on one of the ship’s lower decks, ten stories below.

McElmurray’s family paid tribute to her and her mother thanked the crew for their support during the ordeal. McElmurray had been on a trip to scatter her mother’s husband’s ashes on his favorite beach in Jamaica.