Urgent search for cruise ship passenger feared to have fallen overboard near Sydney Harbour

A desperate search has been launched for a cruise ship passenger who is believed to have fallen overboard.

Two cruise ships – the Carnival Splendor and P&O’s Pacific Adventure – were due to dock in Sydney Harbor before 6am on Monday.

The ships have been forced to remain in waters off the eastern suburbs as the search for the passenger continues.

A helicopter was involved in the rescue. Cruise staff are said to be providing support to the missing passenger’s family.

“P&O’s Pacific Adventure is currently conducting a search and rescue operation off the coast of Sydney after a person overboard alarm was triggered at 4am,” a spokesperson for P&O Cruises Australia said.

‘Since then, the vessel carrying more than 2,600 guests has been conducting a search on site, along with other nearby vessels deployed to the area by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

“This guest’s family is being cared for by our onboard team while every effort is made to find them.”

A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed an urgent search was underway.

Officers received a report just after 4am that a passenger had disappeared 10 nautical miles from Sydney Heads.

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

“NSW Police Marine Area Command has deployed a number of resources to search for the individual and is leading the coordination of the water search.”

A man assigned to pick up passengers from the Pacific Adventure told 2GB that he was told not to rush because “the ship has come to a stop outside the port and someone has gone overboard.”

The Pacific Adventure returns from a three-day cruise to Morton Island in Queensland, with the Carnival Splendor also currently at sea.

Both ships were expected to be back in port on Monday morning.

More to come