Police are “hopeful” they will find a passenger feared overboard from a cruise ship off Sydney alive, despite rough conditions hindering search efforts.
A search and rescue operation is underway in waters about 10 nautical miles (18.5km) off Sydney Heads after a person overboard alarm was raised on P&O’s Pacific Adventure cruise ship about 4am Monday.
The ship, carrying more than 2600 guests, was due to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am but instead has spent Monday morning searching the area.
Other nearby vessels deployed to the area by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) Joint Rescue Coordination Centre have joined the search.
One passenger, who wished to stay anonymous, said the atmosphere was “very tense” on board the ship.
He said passengers were told they would not be docking “until further notice” and many were concerned and “just want to get home”.
“(We’re) not getting many updates either,” he told 7NEWS.com.au.
“Only that a man went overboard just after 4am, the whole ship was notified.”
Another passenger said it was “very sombre” on board.
Police confirmed the NSW Police Marine Area Command was leading the search, with passengers reporting seeing multiple tug boats around the ship.
“Just after 4am today, emergency services received reports a person had gone overboard off a ship 10 nautical miles (18.5km) off Sydney Heads,” police said.
AMSA’s Essendon-based Challenger rescue aircraft is currently on the scene.
“Four helicopters from Sydney, including the Police Airwing and two Westpac lifesaving helicopters are also assisting with the search,” the safety authority confirmed.
“Conditions are currently very challenging.”
NSW Police Marine Commander Joseph McNulty said rough conditions were making the search difficult, with crews facing swells up to 5m and 50 to 60km/h winds.
“What is giving us a lot of hope at the moment is the ship immediately deployed a number of life rings off the ship, and two of those have been recovered but we still haven’t recovered the third one,” he told ABC Radio.
“There is a person out there, hopefully close to a life ring.”
Crews are searching a 60 square nautical mile area and using infrared technology to search for the man’s heat signature in cold waters, he said.
McNulty said police believe the man is alive and were throwing all assets at the search.
“The timeframes for survival is still within the limits,” he added.
P&O Cruises Australia told 7NEWS.com.au: “The family of this guest is being cared for by our onboard team, while every effort is being made to find them.”
“Pacific Adventure’s arrival into White Bay Terminal this morning has been delayed while the search continues,” they said.
7NEWS.com.au understands the ship was hosting an Elvis-themed voyage.
The Carnival Splendour, which was due to dock on Monday morning, has stopped outside Sydney Heads while search efforts continue.
