The Coast Guard called off a search for a man who went overboard during a heavy-metal 'Headbangers Boat' cruise

07.11.2023 - 07:19 / insider.com / Royal Caribbean / Cruises

A 41-year-old man fell overboard early Friday morning while on a heavy-metal-themed "Headbangers Boat" cruise, according to Miami news outlet WTVJ.

Per the outlet, the man fell Friday while the ship, the Norwegian Pearl, was sailing near the Bahamas on its way back to Miami. The US Coast Guard initiated a search, but it was called off after nine hours, according to trade publication CruiseHive.

On Monday, a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed the search was called off in a statement to Insider.

 "On the early morning of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, Norwegian Pearl was notified that a 41-year-old male guest went overboard while the ship was sailing near the Bahamas on its way to Miami," the spokesperson said. "The authorities were immediately notified and the United States Coast Guard search and rescue operation went underway. After an extensive search in cooperation with the United States Coast Guard it was unfortunately unsuccessful. The investigation is ongoing, and we will share updates as appropriate. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time." 

Representatives for the US Coast Guard and the Headbangers Boat did not respond to Insider's requests for comment.

The Headbangers Boat set sail on October 31 and returned to Miami on November 4. According to its website, the cruise was an "immersive, hell-raising hurrah" for heavy metal fans. Lamb of God, the headlining band, told music publication Louder that they were "deeply saddened" by the news on Saturday.

"We're deeply saddened to have learned that a member of our community was involved in a tragic incident," the statement read. "Sending love and light to their family and loved ones."

The odds of going overboard on a cruise ship are low: Between 2009 and 2019, 212 such incidents were identified by the Cruise Lines International Association. However, just 28.2% of those falls resulted in a successful rescue.

As Insider previously reported, at least nine people have fallen overboard on cruise ships this year. Of those, only two have survived. 

Most recently, on October 29, a passenger of Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas went overboard as the ship departed Barcelona. A spokesperson for the cruise line told Insider that the ship turned around, and the person was found. 

"The ship and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and began searching for the guest," the spokesperson said. "Thankfully, the guest was successfully recovered and was brought on board."