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The search for a Norwegian Cruise Line passenger who went overboard Thursday on the way to the Bahamas on a ship sailing out of Port Canaveral has been called off.

A 51-year-old man, who has not been identified, went overboard on the Norwegian Epic around 3 p.m. on a seven-night Western Caribbean trip that left the Florida coast on Dec. 21, according to Cruise Hive.

Another nearby cruise ship joined in the search operations but the cruise line confirmed to Cruise Hive that the search ended Thursday evening.

“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 Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson told Cruise Hive. "After an extensive search that was unfortunately unsuccessful, the ship was released by the authorities to continue its voyage.“

In 2018, an unidentified woman fell off the Norwegian Epic near the Bahamas but was rescued during a night search.

Here's what we know.

Who went overboard on a Norwegian Cruise line?

The name of the passenger has not yet been released. It was a 51-year-old man, and according to onboard announcements he was wearing a blue shirt.

The Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson said the man was traveling with a large group. "His family on board is being attended to and supported during this very challenging situation," they said.

"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.”

Where did the man go overboard from the Norwegian Cruise Line?

The Norwegian Epic was sailing northbound from Ocho Rios, Jamaica en route to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.

The ship immediately stopped and began search and rescue operations, and it was joined by Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam ship out of Port Everglades, according to Cruise Hive.

The Norwegian Epic had already seen "multiple medical incidents" during the current sailing, Cruise Hive reported, but they were not related to this incident.

Man overboard! How easy is it to fall overboard on a cruise ship, and how can you survive?

What is the Norwegian Epic?

The Norwegian Epic ― which was built in 2010 and refurbished in 2020 ― can accommodate 4,100 passengers, based on double occupancy of its cabins, and has 1,724 crew members. It has 19 decks, is 1,081 feet long and is 155,873 gross tons.

It previously sailed from Italy and Spain on Mediterranean cruises, but was brought to Port Canaveral for the 2023-2024 winter season to accommodate the growing demand for Caribbean sailings, the company said last year.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY