Australian man that fell off cruise ship headed for Hawaii named
A Brisbane man has been identified as the Australian who went overboard during a cruise to Hawaii. See exclusive photos, video.
National
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An Australian man who went overboard on a cruise ship headed for Hawaii has been identified by his family.
Brisbane man Warwick Tollemache, 35, fell off the Quantum of the Seas, at about 11pm local time (early Wednesday night AEST), some 1400km south of the Hawaiian islands.
A search for his body by the US Coast Guard was called off after discussions with the man’s family and Australian consular officials, according to Nine News.
In a statement to social media, his family said: “Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick. He was a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul who was adored by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed. We kindly ask for privacy during this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding.”
The US Coast Guard said it dispatched a C-130 Hercules aircrew from its base on Barbers Point, Hawaii yesterday to help with the search.
“After six hours on scene, the crew returned to Air Station Barbers Point for fuel replenishment,” the statement said.
The cruise ship docked at Kona Thursday morning local time.
Passengers were ordered to their rooms and asked to account for all their travelling party while the search got underway yesterday. They were allowed out of their rooms about 90 minutes later.
The tragic incident happened after a woman died after a medical episode on the cruise ship.
But the two incidents are not linked and the pair did not know each other.
The Royal Caribbean Cruises ship was due to dock in Honolulu, Hawaii, after 15 days at sea after a recent visit to Tahiti.
The cruise left Brisbane with a large number of Australians on board.
Gold Coast man Robert Rigby said he and fellow passengers were woken just after 11pm by the “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar Deck 15” announcement.
“Even though we’ve heard it numerous times at the drills it was sobering to realise this one was for real. Almost immediately following the announcement we could feel the ship alter course and slow,” he told News Corp Australia’s National Network News.
“We have a cabin on the starboard side and that is where we witnessed the initial search as several marker buoys that had been thrown over the side that indicated the approximate location. A search boat was deployed and a large searchlight was operated from the bridge.” He said many passengers also tried to help by utilising our own torches.
“It’s such a sad and surreal experience knowing that what we’re looking for a human, with each passing minute, one which was no doubt is struggling to survive. We are in the middle of nowhere in pitch darkness. It was highly unlikely we would spot anything.”
He said the mood on the ship is very sombre.
“We are feeling for the family. The captain just made an announcement over the PA 12.03 local time that they are working with authorities to locate the person but out of respect will not be releasing details.”
Other passengers took to social media to express their shock.
“What the hell is going on with this cruise today. Three medical emergencies and now a man overboard,” one person posted.
Brisbane lawyer Brent Marks described a sombre mood on board the ship.
“It was a horrible night,” he wrote. “The search was full on but not found. Sad mood on-board this morning understandably.”
In a statement yesterday, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean confirmed a search and rescue operation was underway.
“The ship’s crew is working closely with local authorities,” the statement said.
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