Search for Passenger Who Fell from Cruise Ship Called Off
UK rescue teams have called off a search for a passenger who is believed to have fallen overboard from a PO cruise ship off the Isle of Wight.
The man reportedly fell from the cruise ship Ventura at about 04:30 local time as it was returning to Southampton from the Mediterranean.
The RNLI, coastguard and other vessels launched an air and sea rescue mission, which was carried out for almost 12 hours.
The PO cruise ship also retraced its route for several hours to aid the search, but no sign of the missing man could be found.
Vessels in the area are being asked to maintain a look out for the missing man, the coastguard said, although the primary search effort has been suspended.
Ventura left Southampton on 27 September and was due to return to the city at 07:00 UK time, but delayed its arrival by five and a half hours to conduct the search.
Passengers on board posted on the ship’s Facebook page expressing their sorrow.
