Search And Rescue Launched For Cruise Passenger Overboard Near Sydney

Search and rescue efforts are underway following reports of a passenger potentially falling overboard from the P & O Pacific Adventure cruise ship. 

The vessel, scheduled to dock at 6am, halted its journey approximately 20 kilometres outside Sydney Heads.

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Eyewitnesses onboard recounted the moments when the alarm was raised just after 4am, prompting the ship to switch into “search and rescue mode.” 

“We are maybe 20km out from land and will stay here until we get permission to head back in,” one witness told news.com.

“I don’t think many people know that there is a passenger overboard nearby. We had heard a rumour.”

According to a statement released by the NSW Police: “Emergency services received reports a person had gone overboard off a ship 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads.”

“Police are leading the search of waters off Sydney following reports a person was in the water,” said in the statement. 

P & O Cruises Australia also verified the initiation of an extensive search and rescue operation.

“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 spokesperson said.

Despite the exhaustive efforts underway, the Pacific Adventure’s arrival at White Bay Terminal has been postponed as the search continues.

Meanwhile, the family of the missing passenger is receiving support and care from the on-board team.

More to come.

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