Identity of Norwegian cruise crew member who went overboard confirmed

The identity of the missing crew member who went overboard from a cruise ship off the coast of New England over the weekend has been confirmed.

On Saturday, April 25, the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Breakway was en route to Boston from Bermuda when security footage captured someone going overboard about 12 miles from Cape Cod, which prompted an immediate search-and-rescue response. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England deployed a search helicopter and crew from Coast Guard Station Provincetown to assist in the search. However, it was ultimately called off around noon on Sunday. 

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Initially, the crew member's identity had not been released by the cruise line or authorities. However, the Seafarers Association of Rajasthan has since confirmed the identity of the crew member, though further details about the situation have not been publicly shared.

"Our heartfelt condolences to the Family of Mr. Deepak Singh Rathore. May his soul rest in peace," reads a Facebook post shared by the Seafarers Association.

"Security footage on the ship confirmed that a crew member, who reportedly worked in the cruise ship’s galley, went overboard into the Atlantic... While some social media posts have stated that the captain mentioned the crew member climbing over a railing, this has not been confirmed or verified," it continued. 

"It's very heartbreaking"

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Norwegian Breakaway was close to ending a weeklong voyage from Massachusetts that departed on April 19. However, the ship's arrival in Boston on the 26th was slightly delayed because of the overboard incident. 

The next sailing's embarkation was also delayed, with check-in beginning at 2:00 p.m. For context, cruise ship embarkation generally begins closer to 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. 

"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," reads the letter delivered to impacted guests.

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"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," it continued. 

One guest, Rebecca Durandisse of Needham, Massachusetts, told CBS News that she was awoken by a light outside her cabin, followed by loud noises and search crews being deployed out on the water. 

"It's very heartbreaking. [Sunday] morning they ended up saying that someone went over, a crew went over the ledge," she said.