76-Year-Old British Man Missing After Falling Overboard from Marella Explorer 2

An extensive maritime search operation is underway near the Canary Islands after a 76-year-old British tourist was reported missing from the Marella Explorer 2 cruise ship on Thursday morning. The incident, which has deeply affected passengers and crew, occurred while the vessel was sailing between Funchal in Madeira and San Sebastián de La Gomera. According to officials, the man was seen entering the water, prompting immediate emergency procedures onboard and the mobilisation of Spanish search and rescue teams.

The atmosphere on the ship became tense and somber as passengers learned of the situation and watched the response unfold throughout the day. The ship, operated by Marella Cruises and known as the company’s only adults-only vessel, had been travelling northwest of Punta Teno when the alarm was raised at 9.48am.

Passengers recalled hearing repeated announcements of “Man overboard” while they were having breakfast, and the crew rapidly dispersed to conduct visual searches along the decks. Despite a fast response and an extensive air-and-sea effort, daylight limitations forced authorities to suspend search operations by the evening, leaving passengers and the missing man’s family anxiously waiting as efforts resumed the following morning.

Immediate Response Onboard

Accounts from passengers indicate that the emergency response began swiftly after the initial alert. Lesley-Anne Kelly, 40, from Dundee, was among those having breakfast when the ship’s alarm sounded. Her description highlights the urgency and coordination that followed the announcement, with crew members moving to observation points and the ship initiating standard man-overboard protocols.

The clarity of the morning daylight and the number of passengers awake contributed to multiple reported sightings, which allowed the crew to supply authorities with precise information regarding the location and circumstances of the incident. Within approximately 30 minutes of the announcement, Spanish Coastguard units reached the area and began a targeted search effort. The Marella Explorer 2 remained in position after a marker buoy was deployed, following instructions from authorities overseeing the maritime operation.

As the search continued throughout the afternoon, passengers remained in shared spaces or returned to their cabins, absorbing updates delivered by the captain. By evening, visibility had diminished to a point where the Coastguard determined that further efforts would need to resume at first light. The atmosphere, as described by those onboard, shifted noticeably as passengers processed the gravity of the situation and the uncertainty surrounding the missing individual’s fate.

BREAKING: GB News National Reporter Will Godley reports that a 76-year-old man has gone overboard from a cruise ship in the Canary Islands, and a search mission is underway.

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Marella Cruises confirmed the incident through a public statement, expressing deep concern and extending support to the man’s family. The company also emphasised its cooperation with local authorities and noted that its care team was actively assisting those closely affected. The cruise line’s acknowledgment of the distressing circumstances reflected the seriousness with which maritime operators treat overboard incidents, which require immediate, coordinated multi-agency responses to maximise the chances of rescue.

Search Efforts by Spanish Authorities

The Spanish Coastguard initiated a broad-ranging search using both maritime and aerial assets. A helicopter, two specialised search vessels and an aircraft were deployed during the initial phase, covering the area around the ship’s last known coordinates. The vessel was located roughly 16.5 miles northwest of Punta Teno, an area of open ocean where currents and wind conditions can influence the direction and speed of drift.

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The introduction of the Rio Guadiato patrol boat from La Palma expanded the scope of the search as authorities worked to cover wider distances in the hours after the man was last seen. Maritime search operations of this scale typically rely on rapid deployment, optimal weather conditions and coordinated communication between vessels and aircraft.

The presence of indicators such as the marker buoy placed by the cruise ship helped guide search teams, but despite these measures, nightfall forced the Coastguard to temporarily halt operations. Such pauses, though difficult for observers and families, are standard safety protocol due to limited visibility and increased risk to rescue teams. The decision to resume efforts early the next morning reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to locating the missing man.

The incident also drew attention to the challenges inherent in search-and-rescue missions conducted far from shore. The area between Madeira and La Gomera lies along a route used by many cruise ships, but it remains a vast and dynamic environment where even targeted searches must account for shifting sea conditions. The combination of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and patrol vessels demonstrated the comprehensive nature of the Spanish response, which continued into the early hours of the following day as the Marella Explorer 2 docked in Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 2.40am local time.

Impact on Passengers and Ongoing Investigation

Passengers onboard the Marella Explorer 2 described a sombre atmosphere as news of the search suspension spread across the ship. Many travellers had witnessed the initial emergency response and were aware of the seriousness of the situation. Reports suggest that multiple individuals came forward as witnesses, and passengers were informed that interviews were underway to gather accurate accounts of what had taken place. Such procedures are essential to establishing a timeline of events and ensuring that search teams have the most reliable information possible.

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Witness statements indicated that the man’s fall into the water was visible to several people, given the time of day and the number of passengers awake for breakfast. These accounts may help clarify the circumstances leading up to the incident, although no official details have been confirmed regarding the moments immediately preceding his disappearance. Cruise ships are equipped with strict safety protocols for overboard situations, but investigations typically aim to determine how the individual came to enter the water and whether any additional safety measures could be relevant.

The emotional response among passengers reflected both concern for the missing man and a growing awareness of the fragility of situations at sea. Those travelling with family members described the atmosphere as reflective and subdued, particularly after the captain’s evening announcement. For many, the experience underscored the unpredictability of maritime travel, despite the extensive safety measures in place on modern cruise ships.

The Marella Explorer 2, launched 30 years ago and featuring 907 cabins and an array of amenities, is known for its relaxed, adult-only experience. Its size and facilities make it a popular choice for travellers seeking a quiet and scenic voyage across the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. However, even vessels of this scale depend heavily on coordinated emergency systems and trained crew to respond quickly when unexpected events occur.

As of the latest update, search efforts continue with renewed focus, supported by local maritime agencies and coordinated from Tenerife. Authorities have yet to release further details about the missing man, and the outcome of the search remains uncertain as rescue teams navigate the challenges of open-water operations. Passengers and family members are being supported by Marella Cruises’ dedicated care team, which remains in close communication with relevant authorities.

The incident has prompted widespread concern among those following developments both onshore and at sea, and it highlights the complexities of maritime safety and rescue operations. As the search continues, attention remains focused on the efforts underway off the coast of the Canary Islands and the hope for further updates from authorities overseeing the mission.