Australian man dies after falling overboard on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas ship during cruise to Virgin Islands
- The Australian man drowned after falling overboard on the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas cruise ship on Wednesday
- The cruise ship was en route to Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands
- The ship immediately turned around after realizing the man had gone overboard and launched a rescue boat
- The man’s body was eventually pulled from the water at around 4am
An Australian man has drowned after falling overboard on the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas cruise ship in the Virgin Islands.
The man, who has not yet been identified, plunged into the water in the early hours of Wednesday when the ship was en route to Saint Thomas.
Royal Caribbean said the ship immediately turned around after realizing the man had gone overboard and launched a rescue boat.
The man plunged into the water in the early hours of Wednesday when the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas ship was en route to Saint Thomas. A passenger took this photo of rescue boats retrieving his body from the water
One passenger said they spotted search lights in the water between 3am and 4am.
The man’s body could be seen bobbing up and down in the waves as rescues crews tried to retrieve him.
The body was eventually returned to the ship.
‘We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident that occurred on the Symphony of the Seas en route to Saint Thomas,’ a statement from Royal Caribbean said.
‘Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones for their loss, and our care team is providing support and assistance during this difficult time.
The Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas cruise ship was en route to Saint Thomas when the man went overboard
‘Upon the initial report that an Australian adult male had gone overboard, our ship immediately turned, launched a rescue boat, and conducted a full-scale search.
‘We are working closely with authorities and will continue to assist in their investigation.’
The passenger who saw the rescue said there was another cruise ship nearby so it wasn’t initially clear which ship the man had been on.
He said there were no warnings or announcements about a passenger falling overboard.
Medical examiners were waiting on the dock with the ship arrived at Saint Thomas.
Royal Caribbean said the ship immediately turned around after realizing the man had gone overboard and launched a rescue boat. Pictured above is the tracking map