Coast Guard halts search for California man missing from cruise ship, presumed dead

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday that it is suspending the search for Thomas Gigler, a 56-year-old California father who disappeared after going overboard from the Carnival Panorama cruise ship on Sept. 19. The vessel was about 57 miles off the coast of Mexico when the incident occurred, and crews had searched more than 1,700 square miles of ocean without locating him.

Gigler, a computer programmer from Redlands, California, was on the ship with his wife, Michelle, celebrating their anniversary. The Coast Guard’s Rescue Coordination Center in Alameda received the missing-person report around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, after the cruise line said Gigler was last seen at approximately 11:30 p.m. Friday.

The search involved multiple Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft, a Mexican Navy boat, six civilian vessels and coordination with Mexico’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center and the Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue system. After more than 41 hours, officials said no trace of Gigler was found.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Mr. Tom Gigler," said Capt. Jessica Davila, chief of incident management for the Coast Guard Southwest District. "Decisions to suspend search operations are never easy and are made with careful consideration of all available information. Our hearts are with those impacted by his loss."

The agency said the decision considered the elapsed time, environmental conditions and the likelihood of survival, using its Probability of Survival Decision Aid model to assess cold-water risks. Experts note that survival in water below 40°F (4°C) is typically under an hour, while slightly warmer temperatures may allow up to six hours.

The Coast Guard indicated the search could be resumed if new information emerges, but Gigler remains missing and is presumed dead. No public comment has been made by his family.