The search for a passenger in his 70s who went overboard from Carnival Splendor has been officially suspended. The incident occurred on April 17, while the ship was on a 4-day sailing that returned to Sydney on Sunday.
Search Suspended After Three Days
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) confirmed that the large-scale search and rescue operation was called off on the evening of Sunday, April 19. Despite an intensive effort involving multiple aircraft and surface vessels, the man was not located.
Queensland Police have since suspended their active search as of April 21, and the passenger is now presumed dead.
Family Reported the Man Missing
According to news reports, the man was travelling with family, who quickly noticed he was missing and alerted the ship’s crew around 2:00 AM on Saturday. A review of the onboard CCTV footage confirmed what happened next.
In a statement, a Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson said:
“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.”
Footage reportedly showed the man climbing over the safety railing and jumping overboard approximately 18 miles northeast of Moreton Island.
Carnival added that “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.”
A Second Tragedy on the Same Voyage
In a tragic coincidence, authorities confirmed that a second, unrelated death occurred during the same cruise. On Friday, April 17, just hours before the overboard incident, a 67-year-old woman died while snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island during a shore excursion.
Queensland Police have clarified that the two deaths are entirely separate incidents.
Search and Rescue Effort
Before the suspension, the search involved a significant deployment of resources, including:
- Challenger jets from Cairns and Melbourne
- Five rescue helicopters from the Brisbane area
- Six surface vessels
- Assistance from Queensland Police
The Carnival Splendor returned to Sydney on schedule on Sunday morning. While the following sailing was initially delayed to allow for the investigation, the ship has since resumed its normal schedule.
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