Sad update after Australian man falls overboard from cruise ship, sparking massive search as mood aboard ship turns gloomy
- Man fell overboard on Quantum of the Seas
- Cruise was en route from Brisbane to Hawaii
- The US Coast Guard called off the search after a day
- Ship will continue voyage and dock as planned
- For confidential 24-hour support in Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
The search for an Australian man who fell overboard from a Pacific cruise ship has been suspended as fellow passengers spend their last hours at sea.
Witnesses claim the man fell from the top 15th deck of the Quantum of the Seas ship late Wednesday night, 900 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands.
The search for the missing man resumed as the Royal Caribbean-operated ship, which departed Brisbane 16 days ago, was on its way to its final destination, Honolulu.
The U.S. Coast Guard spent a day searching the ocean and from the air before the search was called off.
Large night swells have made the search difficult, making the search “almost impossible.”
Discussions with the man’s next of kin, the Australian consulate and relevant information about the case contributed to the decision.
The Quantum of the Seas ship (pictured) is nearing the end of its journey, hours after a man went overboard
“The Coast Guard has made the difficult decision to suspend the active search for the passenger aboard the Quantum of the Seas,” search and rescue mission coordinator Kevin Cooper said in a statement.
The State Department is preparing to assist the man’s family.
The Australian Consulate General in Honolulu is working closely with local authorities.
“We recognize the continued need for the man’s family and loved ones.”
A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules aircrew conducted five searches at the scene in six hours.
“They were able to throw out a few life rings,” U.S. Coast Guard Ryan Fisher said before the search was called off.
“Only if he were around in the water would he be able to grab them.”
A radio call was also made to all Pacific ships south of Hawaii to look for him.
The desperate search for the missing Australian has been suspended by the US Coast Guard. Pictured is the nighttime search Quantum of the Seas launched after the man went overboard
The Quantum of The Seas have since arrived in Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island, where passengers are allowed to spend time ashore.
While some guests praised the way the ship’s crew handled the situation, many others described the mood on board as gloomy
“It’s a shocking situation to be in,” Susan Whittington told Nine News.
Another man added, “Couldn’t really fathom what happened.”
The ship departed Brisbane on April 12 and was scheduled to dock in Honolulu on Friday after a stopover on the Pacific island of Tahiti.
The ship remains on schedule to dock in Honolulu local time on Friday.
Passengers on board claim the man fell from the top deck (pictured)