MIAMI, Fla. (WTVD) -- The Coast Guard said Wednesday night that it has suspended its search for a North Carolina man who went overboard a Carnival cruise ship Tuesday about 85 miles west of Fort Myers, Florida.
Crews suspended the effort to find 50-year-old Brian Lamonds of Greensboro, about 9 p.m.
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"I have been in contact with members of Mr. Lamonds' family throughout our search efforts and know this is a very difficult and painful time for them," said Cmdr. David Aldous, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard 7th District. "Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we have to make as first responders, and it is never made lightly."
Coast Guard rescue crews were composed of a C-130 Hercules aircraft and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Clearwater, an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft crew from Air Station Miami, and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo, homeported in Key West.
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Crews searched for approximately 55 hours covering 3,059 square miles.
The cruise ship was going from Tampa to Key West when Lamonds vanished.