In a concerning incident, a passenger was reported overboard from the Norwegian Epic cruise ship on December 26, 2024. The ship, which was sailing northbound from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, initiated immediate search and rescue operations upon discovering the man overboard at approximately 3 p.m.
The Norwegian Epic, a 155,873-gross-ton vessel, quickly turned around to begin a thorough search. Passengers on board assisted by watching from balconies and open decks, while nearby cruise ship Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam joined the search efforts. Despite these extensive efforts, the search was called off after 48 hours, and the ship was allowed to continue its voyage.
The man, believed to be a guest rather than a crew member, was reportedly wearing a blue shirt at the time of the incident. The circumstances surrounding the overboard incident remain unclear, with speculation ranging from a possible medical incident to a deliberate act.
This incident comes amidst several other overboard cases reported this month, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the cruise industry in ensuring passenger safety. The family members of the man are being supported during this difficult time, and authorities continue to investigate the incident.