Search Suspended for Crew Member Overboard From Norwegian Viva

The search operation for a crew member who went overboard from the cruise ship Norwegian Viva has been officially called off, Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed.

The missing crew member has been identified as Vinshar, a 38-year-old chef from Kozhikode, India. The incident occurred on April 9 while the ship was sailing near Costa Maya, Mexico, during a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise that departed from Galveston.

According to the cruise line, a man overboard alert was triggered after the crew member was reported missing. The vessel immediately turned back to begin search efforts and alerted the Mexican Rescue Coordination Centre.

Norwegian Viva remained in the area for around two hours to assist before being cleared by authorities to continue its journey. Search operations involving local authorities and nearby vessels continued afterward, but no trace was found, and the search was officially suspended on April 11.

Sources familiar with the situation said the crew member worked in the galley and was last seen on April 9 near Deck 8, outside the Bistro where he was assigned. CCTV footage reportedly showed him near the railing at around 3:45 p.m., roughly two hours after the ship departed Costa Maya.

He was not immediately flagged as missing, with concerns raised only after he did not report for his scheduled 5:00 p.m. shift. A full search of the vessel was carried out, including his cabin, before surveillance footage confirmed a man overboard incident.

An Indian news outlet interviewed the crew member’s brother, who said the cruise line contacted his wife at around 8 p.m. on Friday to inform her of the disappearance.

According to his brother, Vinshar had been working on NCL cruise ships for six years and had joined Norwegian Viva in December. He also mentioned that Vinshar had been facing some challenges in his new role and had booked a ticket to return home on the 16th, as he did not wish to continue working on the ship.

The circumstances surrounding the case are still under investigation, and no further official details have been released.