CrewMember Goes MissingDuring Round-the-World Cruise

A crew member from India has gone missing at sea during a 120-day voyage around the world on the Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambience ship. The incident occurred on Friday, May 3, 2024, while the ship was off Cape Finisterre, on the west coast of Spain, en route to the UK from Lisbon, Portugal.

Why this matters: The incident highlights the risks and dangers faced by crew members working on commercial vessels, and it raises questions about thesafety protocols and emergency response measures in place to protect them. As the global maritime industry continues to grow, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and improvement in safety standards.

The Ambience ship, which can carry 1,400 guests, turned back to join the search for the missing crew member but has since been released by coastguard authorities and is continuing on its original course back to the UK. The crew member was reported missing "shortly after breakfast" on Friday, and thorough ship-wide searches were conducted. The local coastguard was informed, and the ship had initially turned back to "retrace her route to the ship's position when the crew member was last seen".

Ambassador Cruise Line released a statement addressing the incident: "Our immediate priority is to provide full support to all crew members closely affected by this incident. Guests onboard have been kept informed throughout the day and have been advised of recent developments. Ambassador remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of all our crew and guests. We are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of our colleague at this difficult time."

The ship's arrival time, initially planned for 9am on Sunday, will be delayed until the evening. All events to mark its return have been cancelled. The 800ft-long Ambience is Ambassador Cruise Line's flagship boat and can carry 1,400 guests in its 789 cabins. The ship departed from Tilbury, Essex on January 6 and was due to return to the port on Sunday. Stops on its 120-day Grand Round The World Cruise voyage have included New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and Brazil.

The search for the missing crew member remains the utmost priority for Ambassador Cruise Line. The company has emphasized its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all crew and guests during this difficult time. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers faced by those working at sea, even during leisurely voyages.

Key Takeaways

• Crew member goes missing on Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambience ship off Spain's coast.
• Ship turns back to search, then released by coastguard to continue to UK.
• Search for missing crew member is ongoing, with safety protocols under scrutiny.
• Ambience ship delayed, arriving Sunday evening instead of morning.
• Incident highlights risks faced by crew members working on commercial vessels.