Man goes overboard on Norwegian Cruise Line ship headed for ...

Authorities have called off the search for a 51-year-old man who went overboard Thursday on a Norwegian Cruise Line vessel.

The man, who was traveling with his family, went over the side around 3 p.m. while the ship was sailing from Ocho Rios, Jamaica to Nassau, Bahamas, the cruise line said in a statement to USA TODAY. A rescue operation took place but was ultimately called off so the ship could continue its voyage.

"The guest was traveling with a large group and his family on board is being attended to and supported during this very challenging situation," a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Man goes overboard on Norwegian Epic

The vessel that the man and his family were traveling aboard was a Norwegian Epic cruise ship, a voyage known for its onboard performances, activities and pampering experiences.

The Norwegian Epic is in the midst of a seven-night Western Caribbean voyage after departing Saturday from Canaveral, Florida, according to Cruise Hive, a cruise industry blog.

After cruise officials learned that the man had gone over the side, authorities were notified and a search began under the guidance of the Bahamas Rescue Coordination Center, the cruise line told USA TODAY.

Many passengers assisted in the search and shared updates on social media as onboard announcements indicated that the individual was wearing a blue shirt. Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam, which was nearby, also joined in the search, Cruise Hive reported.

"After an extensive search that was unfortunately unsuccessful, the ship was released by the authorities," the Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear what caused the man to go overboard. The man has not been identified.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com