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

The search was called off on Thursday evening after a 51-year-old man, who was not named, fell overboard around 3pm that day.

The man had been on board the Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian epicas he was sailing north from Ocho Rios, Jamaica to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas when he fell overboard.

“Authorities were immediately notified and a search and rescue operation was initiated under the direction and supervision of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center,” a spokesperson for the Norwegian cruise line told Cruise Hive.

“After an extensive search, which unfortunately was unsuccessful, the ship was cleared to continue sailing by the authorities,” the spokesman added.

Newsweek Norwegian Cruise Line emailed for comment.

Why was the search canceled?

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

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

The ship was cleared by the US Coast Guard to continue the cruise.

What do we know about the Norwegian Cruise Line incident?

It is currently unclear why the man fell overboard. According to Norwegian Cruise Line, search and rescue operations were initiated immediately, the ship was rerouted and a flare was thrown into the water to mark the ship’s position upon the first report of the overboard.

Holland America Lines Zuiderdam was also nearby and took part in the search.

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

Cruise Hive reported that passengers were told through onboard announcements that the person who fell overboard was wearing a blue shirt at the time of his fall.

Norwegian epic is currently on a seven-day Western Caribbean voyage after departing Canaveral, Florida, on Saturday.

Why it matters

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

In the meantime, Norwegian epic There were several medical incidents on board the current cruise. Ambulances were stationed to meet the ship at its first port of call, Cozumel, Mexico, on Monday, December 23, and in Ocho Rios on Christmas Day.

How many cruise ship accidents have there been this year?

So far in 2024, at least 19 people have fallen overboard on cruise ships, with only two surviving.

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

The latest incident occurred a few days ago when Elizabeth McElmurray, 48, died on December 21 aboard the Sky Princess while returning to Florida from the Caribbean. Princess Cruises said she fell while attempting to “jump” into the water and accidentally landed on one of the cruise ship’s decks 10 stories below.

Just days earlier, on December 17, Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas issued the code OSCAR, signaling an overboard situation. At this point the ship was nearing the end of a twelve-day voyage through the southern Caribbean.

Meanwhile, on Dec. 2, a male passenger on Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess was reported missing and presumed overboard as the ship returned to San Francisco at the end of a five-day itinerary that included visits to San Diego and Ensenada.

What happens next

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