Key Aspects:
- Norwegian Jewel entered search and rescue mode after a person went overboard in the early morning hours on October 21, 2025.
- The 93,502-gross-ton vessel circled for more than 10 hours approximately 188 miles off the Azores with crew members and nearby cargo ships assisting in the search.
- Despite extensive efforts, the search was unsuccessful and the ship has since resumed its transatlantic voyage to Miami.
Passengers onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel woke to a jarring alarm in the early morning of Tuesday, October 21, 2025, when a “Code Oscar” was made around 2 a.m.
The message, made by the captain and repeated throughout the ship, signaled a person had gone overboard.
“We have just in the last 10 minutes had an announcement to confirm someone is overboard, and that is why we have been circling and still are circling,” a British passenger told UK media.
The 2,368-passenger vessel, which sails with 1,069 crew members, was enjoying a 12-night repositioning voyage from Barcelona to Miami.
After departing on October 15, 2025, the ship had enjoyed a call in Cadiz, Spain, and its final call in Ponta Delgada in Portugal’s Azores.
Seven hours after departure, satellite tracking showed Norwegian Jewel off course, circling for more than 10 hours near the incident.
Although Portugal’s National Maritime Authority’s Ponta Delgada local command was the closest emergency responders, the location of the ship – 188 miles from shore – and darkness made a search and rescue difficult.
Guests onboard the ship took to social media to share the news and updates, with photos indicating a rescue plane was searching near the location and nearby cargo ships were aiding in the search into the daylight hours.
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Unfortunately, the search was not successful and after 10 hours, the 93,502-gross-ton Norwegian Jewel has resumed its course to Miami.
Search and rescue (Photo Credit: Charity Amanda Palmatier)
“In all my years at sea, my heart has never felt heavier. A man went overboard from our ship,” said one passenger. “It was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks.”
Neither Norwegian Cruise Line or emergency response in Portugal has issued a statement. At this time, it is unclear if the person overboard was a guest or a member of the crew.
Tragedies at Sea
The incident aboard Norwegian Jewel is the second in recent months to afflict Norwegian Cruise Line.
On August 12, 2025, a 79-year-old male guest went overboard from the 91,740-gross-ton Norwegian Star while sailing off Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, enroute to Greenland.
Passengers confirmed hearing “Code Oscar” and witnessed lifeboats launched, with Norwegian Cruise Line confirming the incident.
“In consideration for the family and their privacy, updates will be shared as appropriate. Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest’s loved ones during this difficult time.”
In June 2025, a passenger fell into the water after Norwegian Epic pulled away from the pier while docked in Catania, Sicily. The passenger received only minor injuries.
Cruise ships are required to conduct regular safety drills and maintain strict surveillance and overboard detection systems, but even with advanced technology, emergencies at sea are unpredictable and can unfold within seconds.
The thoughts and prayers of all at Cruise Hive are with those affected today, with gratitude to the crew members who tirelessly and quickly responded under difficult conditions.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
