A search is underway for a man who jumped from a cruise ship off the Queensland coast, just hours after a woman travelling on the same vessel drowned while snorkelling.
The man in his 70s plunged from the Carnival Splendor near Brisbane on Friday night, and the cruise company confirmed it was assisting emergency services in their rescue mission.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it was notified that a man had gone overboard approximately 30km northeast of Moreton Island, and that Cairns and Melbourne-based Challenger jets, five rescue helicopters from around the Brisbane area, and six surface vessels had joined the search.
A Carnival Cruise confirmed to The Courier Mail that a guest “apparently climbed over the safety railing and jumped overboard”.
“The male guest was travelling with family who alerted the ship’s crew of a possible missing person and a review of the CCTV footage confirmed the guest’s action,” the spokeswoman said.
“All appropriate authorities have been alerted and Carnival will assist authorities in their investigation upon the ship’s return to Sydney.
“Carnival’s Care Team is supporting the guest’s family and our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved one.”
The search has delayed the ship’s arrival in Sydney, and guests expecting to board on Sunday were informed that their check-in and embarkation times would be revised, according to a letter seen by Noticer News.
At about midday on Friday a 67-year-old woman from Tasmania drowned near shipwrecks at the same island, and passengers said strong currents meant even capable swimmers were struggling in the water.
The woman was pulled to shore by an off-duty lifesaver, but could not be revived despite multiple attempts to save her.
Police will prepare a report for the coroner, and the two events are not believed to be related.
The cruise line spokeswoman said they company was deeply saddened by the passenger’s guests, and said “our Care Team is supporting the guest’s family during this difficult time”.
Header image: The Carnival Splendour docked in Sydney (Dicklyon – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link)
