Tragic development in search for missing Australian passenger on Hawaii cruise

The Ovation of the Seas will be the third ship in Royal Caribbean's Quantum class, joining the Anthem of the Seas (above) and Quantum of the Seas. Photo / Supplied

An Australian cruise passenger, whose disappearance overboard sparked a 12-hour search, is believed to be the partner of a traveller who died earlier on the sailing.

The Royal Caribbean ship Quantum of the Seas was repositioning from Brisbane to Hawaii when the passenger was reported overboard 11pm Wednesday, local time, about 1400km south of the Hawiian islands.

The cruise operator told the Herald that they had triggered the search for the passenger and alerted ships in the area for assistance.

”The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue operation and is working closely with local authorities,” said a spokesperson.

US Coast Guard called off the search around 3pm, to be resumed tomorrow.

One man whose family were aboard the Quantum said that the missing man was the partner of a passenger who had died earlier.

“About 90 minutes later, the call went out that someone went overboard, and it turned out to be the partner of the person who passed away earlier,” a caller told the 2GB breakfast show this morning.

A Royal Caribbean confirmed that a second passenger had passed away during an earlier medical incident. However they said “the two incidents were unrelated.”

The 15-day repositioning cruise from Brisbane had a large Australian contingent. An Anzac dawn service had been held on the top deck mid-ocean between Brisbane and Hawaii.

Melbourne man Adam Glezer

told news.com that passengers were confined to their cabins while the ship was searched for 90 minutes.

He described how the passenger was repeatedly called on the ship’s PA, but he failed to report to reception.

“I called Mum to let her know we are okay. After that they reopened the bars – I went down. It was just packed with people wanting to know what happened,” he said.

“I have spoken to workers who have been working on ships for years and they said they have never seen anything like this happen before.”

The Quantum of the Seas’ captain halted the sailing to search for the missing traveller, contacting the US Coast Guard from Hawaii.

The ship has since resumed its journey to Hawaii’s Kona Island, and handed over the search to the Coast Guard.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the passenger’s disappearance.

Where to get help

If you are worried about your or someone else’s mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:

• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 or 09 5222 999 within Auckland (available 24/7)

• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633 ,free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.

• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)

• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)

• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757

• SAMARITANS – 0800 726 666.