Passenger missing from Tui ship in Atlantic as search pauses
A 72-year-old woman was not accounted for on Tuesday, and the US Coast Guard has ordered the vessel to continue its route to the Caribbean.
By Chinedu Schneider ·
The US Coast Guard has instructed the Marella Voyager to maintain its current course across the Atlantic after a British passenger disappeared from the vessel. The 72-year-old woman was last seen on the ship on Monday. By the time her absence was confirmed, the vessel had covered a substantial distance, complicating any immediate search effort.
Crew members noticed the passenger was missing on Tuesday when they found her bed had not been slept in. Tui confirmed that an alarm was raised and a search began. The cruise line stated that the guest was reported to the US Coast Guard. The maritime authority determined that the ship should proceed to its destination rather than turn back to locate the woman.
On Tuesday evening, the crew halted all evening activities, including dinners and entertainment, to conduct an emergency headcount. Passengers formed lines of four while staff scanned boarding cards to verify the identity of every individual on board. This procedure was reported by the Daily Mail.
The Marella Voyager is carrying approximately 2,000 passengers and 800 crew members. The ship departed from Malaga on 4 November. It is scheduled to arrive in Antigua on Friday. The voyage will continue to Dominica before concluding in Barbados on Sunday.
The USCG Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Norfolk, Virginia, issued an alert to nearby vessels. The alert requested that ships keep a close watch for the missing woman. The BBC has reached out to the US Coast Guard for additional comment.
A spokeswoman for Marella Cruises described the company as deeply saddened by the event. She stated that the company is supporting the authorities and is pausing further comments out of respect for the guest and her family. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the department is supporting the family of the British national and is in contact with relevant authorities.
In a separate incident, a pianist for Royal Caribbean was found treading water on Sunday. He was located about 20 miles off the coast of California near Catalina Island. Two fishermen discovered the employee, who officials believe may have been in the Pacific Ocean for nine hours.
