Quantum of the Seas: Man overboard on cruise from Brisbane to Hawaii

Passengers have described the frantic search for an Australian man who went overboard on a cruise ship that left Brisbane 15 days ago, amid reports the incident followed a number of medical emergencies on board.

A man travelling on a cruise between Brisbane and Hawaii has gone overboard, sparking a frantic rescue effort.

The man fell from the 15th deck of the Quantum of the Seas about 1400km south of the Hawaiian Islands about 11pm local time, with the US Coast Guard called in to the search.

The search from US Coast Guard crews has been paused but will resume at first light, which is in the early hours of Friday morning Australian time.

The ship was scheduled to dock in Honolulu later on Friday.

Passengers, who were ordered to their room and asked to account for their travelling parties while the search began, have taken to social media, shared their shock, revealing that there had also been a number of medical emergencies on board the ship.

“What the hell is going on with this cruise today. Three medical emergencies and now a man overboard,” one person posted.

Another passenger, Robert Rigby, from the Gold Coast, said he and fellow passengers were woken just after 11pm by the “Oscar, Oscar, Oscar Deck 15” announcement.

Scenes from the Quantum of the Seas after a man went overboard. Picture: Joshua Reynolds/Facebook

“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 said.

“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, using their own torches.

“It’s such a sad and surreal experience knowing that what we’re looking for a human … 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 was 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.”

Brisbane lawyer Brent Marks described a sombre mood on board the ship.

A passenger photo shows a massive searchlight amid the search for a man who went overboard from the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship. Picture: Robert Rigby

“It was a horrible night,” he wrote. “The search was full on but not found. Sad mood on-board this morning understandably.”

Sally Baumber, another passenger from the Gold Coast, said they were headed back to their cabin when they heard the man overboard call ‘Oscar Oscar Oscar’.

She said she heard crew members shouting the name ‘Warwick’.

“It’s really heartbreaking to think what his family must be going through,” she said.

“The mood is definitely subdued compared to what it was. It is an absolutely heartbreaking situation.

“It’s next to impossible to fall off these ships and conditions were really smooth, so tragically I’m assuming it must have been intentional.”

A search light shines from the Quantum of the Seas after an Australian man went overboard in a cruise from Brisbane to Honolulu. Picture: Brian Hill

Ms Baumber said she saw staff at the railings immediately, with the overboard call not long afterwards and lit buoys dropped into the water.

“It was a very dark night which made it more difficult,” she said.

“We stayed in place searching for a good couple of hours.”

Another passenger said they heard the emergency call at 11pm.

“The ship’s cameras and sensors had detected someone falling off the ship,” they said.

“We stood on the balcony and watched the flashing lights of the life rings (that were thrown out earlier), come closer as we moved towards them, and the lifeboat being sent out to check them. … The conditions were rough and obviously the water was pitch black. Such a scary situation for the people involved and for the crew as well.

Another passenger on the ship, who asked to not be named, said they had just gone to bed when they also heard the emergency code being called.

They, and several other passengers, also rushed to balconies or upper levels to watch and hopefully assist.

“We rushed up to the portside pool deck (on) level 14, then to the viewing deck on the same level. A lot of other passengers (did) the same,” the passenger said.

“Then, we went to a viewing deck starboard as we’d turned around to go back. The ship turned incredibly quickly for a boat this size and headed back.

“Lifebuoys had been deployed, so we knew where to be.”

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at Luggage Point in Pinkenba. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The passenger said they understood the man to have fallen off portside – the left side when facing towards the front of the vessel – but did not know from which part of the ship.

“We do know it was portside as the code was ‘Oscar, Oscar, Oscar, Portside’,” they said.

All passengers and crew were asked to return to staterooms about 45 minutes after the call to check for anyone absent.

“At that stage, all shows, casino et cetera were shut down,” the passenger said.

“They called out some names to report in as a result of that initial check in, which then scaled down to one name.”

The passenger said the crew kept everyone informed as a search progressed.

“We were watching from balconies, spotlights were shining carefully over the sea to help the rescue boat conduct its search,” they said.

“Eventually, the Coast Guard came and took over and we were sent on our way I think at around 1.30 to 2am.”

“We were updated earlier today to let us know the Coast Guard and US Navy are now searching and that we would not be given any more information out of respect for the family.”

The passenger said the mood on the cruise line was a “little quieter” Thursday, but that all activities on board had resumed.

The Quantum of the Seas was 1400km south of the Hawaiian Islands when the man went overboard. Picture: Royal Caribbean

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were ready to “provide consular assistance” to the man’s family.

“The Australian Consulate-General in Honolulu is working closely with local authorities.,” the statement said.

“We acknowledge the ongoing distress for the man’s family and loved ones.

“Due to privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further information.”

The Quantum-class cruise ship, owned by Royal Caribbean International, left Brisbane on April 12 bound for Hawaii.

In a statement, a spokesman for Royal Caribbean confirmed a search and rescue operation was under way.

“The ship’s crew is working closely with local authorities,” the statement said.

With Hawaii almost a day behind Australia, the ship had conducted a moving Anzac Day ceremony just hours before the man’s disappearance.

At 347m long, Quantum is one of the world’s biggest cruise ships and the largest to ever be based in Brisbane.

At full capacity it can accommodate almost 5000 passengers and 1500 crew.