- Search for missing cruise ship passenger
- Fears have been raised they fell overboard
A desperate search has been launched for a cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen overboard.
Two cruise ships – the Carnival Splendor and P&O’s Pacific Adventure – were due to dock in Sydney Harbour before 6am on Monday.
The ships have been forced to remain in waters off the eastern suburbs as the search continues for the passenger.
A helicopter is involved in the rescue with cruise staff said to be providing the missing passenger’s family with support.
‘P&O’s Pacific Adventure is currently undertaking a search and rescue operation off Sydney after a person overboard alarm was raised at 4am,’ a P&O Cruises Australia spokesperson said.
‘Since this time, the ship carrying more than 2,600 guests, has been onsite searching along with other nearby vessels deployed to the area by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
‘The family of this guest is being cared for by our onboard team while every effort is being made to find them.’
A desperate search has been launched for a cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen overboard (stock image)
The Carnival Splendor and P&O’s Pacific Adventure – were due to dock in Sydney Harbour before 6am on Monday (both ships are pictured in waters off Sydney’s eastern suburbs)
A NSW Police spokesman confirmed an urgent search was underway.
Officers received a report just after 4am that a passenger had disappeared 10 nautical miles from Sydney Heads.
‘Police are leading the search of waters off Sydney following reports a person was in the water,’ he said.
‘NSW Police Marine Area Command have deployed a number of resources to search for the person and are leading the co-ordination of the water search.’
One man who was supposed to pick up passengers from the Pacific Adventure told 2GB he was told not to rush because the ‘the ship’s stopped outside the head and somebody’s gone overboard.’
The Pacific Adventure is returning from a three-day cruise to Queensland’s Morton Island with the Carnival Splendour also currently at sea.
Both ships were due back in the port on Monday morning.
More to come
