- Search for missing cruise passenger
- Fears have been raised that they may fall overboard.
A desperate search has been launched for a cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen overboard.
Two cruise ships, Carnival Splendor and P&O’s Pacific Adventure, were due to dock in Sydney Harbor before 6am on Monday.
The boats have been forced to remain in waters off the eastern suburbs as the search for the passenger continues.
A helicopter is involved in the rescue and cruise ship staff are said to be providing support to the family of the missing passenger.
“P&O’s Pacific Adventure is conducting a search and rescue operation off Sydney after a person overboard alarm was activated at 4am,” a P&O Cruises Australia spokesperson said.
“Since then, the ship carrying more than 2,600 guests has been searching the location along with other nearby ships deployed to the area by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
“Our team on board is caring for this guest’s family while every effort is made to find them.”
A desperate search has been launched for a cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen overboard (file image)
A New South Wales Police spokesperson confirmed an urgent search was underway.
“Police are leading the search of waters off Sydney following reports that a person was in the water,” he said.
Officers received a report shortly after 4am that a passenger had gone missing 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads.
“NSW Police Marine Area Command has deployed a number of resources to search for the person and is leading the coordination of the water search,” the spokesperson said.
A man who was supposed to pick up passengers from the Pacific Adventure told 2GB that he was told not to rush because “the boat stopped outside the head and someone fell overboard.”
More to come