Search for cruise ship passenger missing after Lerwick visit

A SEARCH has been launched for a passenger feared missing after boarding a cruise ship in Lerwick earlier this week.

The Ambassador Cruise Lines ship Ambition is being searched in Dundee after the alarm was raised this morning (Friday) about the missing passenger.

It is feared they may have fallen overboard, with the police and coastguard searching the water around the area.

The passenger is believed to have joined the cruise ship on Wednesday for her final leg of the journey from Lerwick to Dundee.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said they received a report of a person going overboard at around 9am this morning.

“A search and rescue operation is currently being carried out by HM Coastguard, but the man remains missing. His next of kin is aware.

“Police enquiries remain ongoing.”

A spokesperson for Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed passengers have now left the ship and claimed guests have been kept “informed” of developments throughout the ordeal.

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He said: “The captain of Ambition, which is now berthed in Dundee, was on passage from Lerwick to Dundee when the alarm was raised after it was found that a guest was not where they were expected to be.

“Guests on board have been kept informed of developments by the captain and a thorough ship-wide search was carried out on arrival in Dundee.

“Having initially been asked to remain on board while the search was carried out, guests have now been cleared to disembark.

“We continue to work in close collaboration with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, HM Coastguard and Police Scotland as the investigation continues.

“Ambassador remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of all our guests and crew.”