Norwegian Breakaway cruise ship worker falls overboard off coast of Massachusetts

A cruise has ended in tragedy after a crew member went overboard off the coast of Massachusetts early on Sunday morning.

A frantic search was launched just after 1.15am local time when a Norwegian Breakaway employee plunged off an upper deck of the ship into the freezing ocean as the cruise was returning to Boston following a week-long trip to Bermuda.

Lifeboats were launched and a US coast guard search helicopter was dispatched but the crew member was not found.

The ship arrived back to the terminal just after noon on Sunday, with passengers receiving a letter explaining the late arrival.

“Overnight and into the early morning hours, the ship remained engaged in search and rescue efforts following a man overboard situation, working closely with maritime authorities,” the letter to passengers stated.

“These efforts required the vessel’s full attention before the voyage could safely resume toward Boston. Situations such as these are never easy, and the safety and well-being of those at sea remain at the heart of every decision we make.”

Passenger Rebecca Durandisse said the situation was “very heartbreaking”.

“It’s very heartbreaking. . .they ended up saying that someone went over, a crew went over the ledge,” Durandisse told People.

“I was in my estate room, lying in bed, I was drifting off to sleep when I noticed a light go on that woke me up, because I had my window open. And then I heard some loud noises.”

Cruise ship entertainer Rachel Goodman told local media outlet WCVB a “man overboard” alert went off during one of her performances.

“It was the last couple of songs and they said, ‘Code Oscar,’” Goodman said.

“Not a lot of guests know what that means. They ended up alerting guests (on Sunday) morning. (The captain) said you know, please think of his family and friends and be kind to the staff.”

The coast guard confirmed the search has been suspended “pending new information”.