Coast Guard has called off its search for Thomas Gigler, a 56-year-old passenger who was reported overboard from the Carnival Panorama while the cruise ship was sailing off the coast of Mexico. The U.S.
“Decisions to suspend search operations are never easy and are made with careful consideration of all available information. Gigler was last seen Friday evening. The details provide a clearer timeline of the incident and the extensive response that followed. Saturday. Multiple Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to search from the air. Officials also worked with Mexico’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center and used the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system, or AMVER, to locate nearby vessels capable of helping with the operation.
Gigler remained missing after more than 41 hours of search efforts involving Coast Guard aircraft, a Mexican naval vessel and six other vessels. Crews searched an area spanning more than 1,707 square miles but found no trace of him, according to the Department of Homeland Security press release. He was reported missing around 1:30 p.m. The ship was about 57 miles from the Mexican coast when the report was made, according to the Coast Guard’s latest account. The Rescue Coordination Center Alameda took charge of the search after receiving the missing-person report from Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Our hearts are with those impacted by his loss,” said Jessica Davila, chief of incident management for the Coast Guard’s Southwest District. Saturday, according to the Coast Guard.
