PORT CANAVERAL, Florida – The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search on Saturday evening for a 32-year-old cruise ship passenger who went overboard from the Carnival Liberty cruise ship 10 miles northwest of Berry Islands, Bahamas on Friday.

Reco Scott of Decatur, Georgia reportedly went overboard from the ninth deck of the 952-foot long cruise ship at approximately 5 a.m. on Friday. The Carnival crew launched a search and contacted the Coast Guard at the Seventh Coast Guard District Command Center in Miami, Florida.

A Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter crew from Great Inaguas, Bahamas along with the Coast Guard Cutter Charles David Jr. were deployed to search fro the missing cruise ship passenger.

The Carnival Liberty searched in the area along with two other vessels, including the Norwegian Jade cruise ship. Unable to locate Scott, the Carnival Liberty later resumed its course and finally reached the Bahamas just after 4 p.m. on Friday. The Carnival Liberty initially sailed out of Port Canaveral, Florida on Sunday, April 2, 2017.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Scott during this extremely difficult time,” said Christopher Eddy, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard Seventh District command center. “Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make and it is made with great care and consideration.”

Photo credit: USCG