Frantic search for Australian man who went overboard on cruise ship
An Australian man who went overboard on a cruise ship 1,400km south of the Hawaiian coast is thought to be the partner of a passenger who died during a medical emergency while on board.
The Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas ship was just two days away from reaching its port in Hawaii when disaster struck on April 26, 15 days after the vessel had departed from Brisbane.
The ship has since resumed its course while rescue crews have deployed a Hercules aircraft witted with a GPS system and cameras to help find the man.
Speaking to news.com.au, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, “While on its trans-pacific sailing, a guest onboard Quantum of the Seas went overboard,”
“The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue operation and is working closely with local authorities.”
The cruise line’s captain immediately halted the ship’s course following the tragedy, with staff launching a search and rescue operation.
One man who was on the ship with family told 2GB radio host Ben Fordham that the man who went overboard is allegedly the partner of a passenger who died on the ship after a medical emergency.
“There was a show during the night, and the music stopped before it was announced there was a medical emergency, and apparently the person passed away’,” the man told Fordham.
“About 90 minutes later, the call went out that someone went overboard, and it turned out to be the partner of the person who passed away earlier.’”
Fordham also read another passenger’s email from onboard the ship.
“Some saying cameras on deck saw [a man] go over. Others saying crew has confirmed the passenger did go over last night and there was only so much they could do’,” Fordham said, reading out the man’s email.
Adam Glezer from Melbourne, who is currently onboard with his wife and four-year-old child told news.com.au an announcement of ‘Oscar’, a code for man overboard, was heard from the intercom at around 7pm Sydney time.
“They didn’t make a big deal about it. It was mainly for staff and crew but an hour later things got more serious,” Mr Glezer said.
“They started doing announcements over the loudspeaker saying ‘potential man overboard’ and that everyone had to go back to their room.”
Mr Glezer added that passengers had to remain in their rooms for about 90 minutes before they were able to leave.
“They didn’t make a big deal about it. It was mainly for staff and crew but an hour later things got more serious,” he said.
“They started doing announcements over the loudspeaker saying ‘potential man overboard’ and that everyone had to go back to their room.”
Mr Glezer described the incident as a “surreal” feeling as the entire ship fell silent, with music turned off and everyone confined to their rooms.
“I called Mum to let her know we are OK. After that they reopened the bars – I went down. It was just packed with people wanting to know what happened.
“I have spoken to workers who have been working on ships for years and they said they have never seen anything like this happen before.”
It is not believed there were any suspicious circumstances.
Other ships in the area have been advised to keep a lookout for the overboard passenger following an amber alert. A request has been made for the US Navy to get involved in an attempt to further search efforts.
Image credit: Today