Carnival Cruise Passenger Still Missing After Going Overboard Off Mexico

A Carnival Cruise Line passenger is still missing after going overboard while his ship was returning to California from Mexico. The U.S. Coast Guard, Mexican Navy, and other vessels have been involved in the search.

The missing passenger has been identified as 56-year-old Thomas Gigler of Redlands, California. He was traveling on the Carnival Panorama with his wife and three sons.

Carnival says Gigler was reported missing while the ship was sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Long Beach. Crew members searched the ship and reviewed security footage, which confirmed that he had gone overboard.

Gigler has not been found. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search on September 22 after more than 41 hours of searching and more than 1,707 square miles covered. The agency said the search could resume if new information becomes available.

Planes and Boats Joined the Search

Embedded media follows. Please allow a moment for it to load.

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received the missing-person report at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Rescue Coordination Center Alameda then took over coordination of the search.

Fixed-wing aircraft were sent to help search the water. The Coast Guard also coordinated with the Mexican Navy and commercial vessels in the area. Carnival said it notified both U.S. and Mexican officials after the crew reviewed its cameras.

“Carnival is providing support to the family who was traveling with the guest, and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” the cruise line said in a statement.

Passengers Were Sent Back to Their Rooms

Passengers on the Carnival Panorama were also asked to return to their staterooms while the crew searched for the missing guest. Passengers were later told that the ship’s man-overboard cameras had confirmed the guest went into the water.

The ship also changed course during the search before continuing toward California. Carnival Panorama returned to Long Beach on September 20 after completing its seven-night cruise.

He Was Traveling With His Family

Gigler was a father of three and was traveling with his wife and sons. He and his wife were due to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary on September 23, according to family members who spoke with news outlets.

The circumstances leading up to his going overboard have not been publicly established.