Body recovered after man fell overboard from the Spirit of Tasmania

A morbid discovery was made overnight after a man went missing from a cruise ship making its way from Victoria to Tasmania.

Australia’s cruising scene has been struck by another tragedy, following the death of a male passenger who fell overboard while travelling on the Spirit of Tasmania.

The ferry company which transports passengers between mainland Australia and Tasmania, was forced to turn one of its ships around on Sunday evening after the sounding the alarm a passenger was missing.

The vessel was on its way to Tasmania following its departure from its Geelong dock when the incident occurred.

A male passenger fell overboard on Sunday evening. Picture: Mark Wilson

Multiple search crews, including air wing and water units, were deployed to scout the water between Portarlington and St Leonards beaches off the Bellarine Peninsula just after 8pm, the Herald Sun reports.

Police later recovered the body of a man at about 8.50pm with a report now being prepared by the coroner.

“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the Spirit of Tasmania confirmed the vessel returned to Geelong by 10.50pm, but was unable to comment further.

The tragedy comes just days after Brisbane man Warwick Tollemache, 35, fell overboard while on a Royal Caribbean ship bound for Hawaii.

Mr Tollemache was holidaying with his mother on the Quantum of the Seas when he fell into the water at about 11pm on Wednesday, 1400km south of the island’s coast.

The tragedy comes less than a week after Mr Tollemache went overboard near Hawaii. Picture: Facebook

Search and rescue efforts were called off on Friday, leaving the man’s family devastated with his partner Celine La Roche posting a touching tribute to social media.

“I love you, always have and always will. RIP my love,” she wrote.

Mr Tollemache’s deeply saddened family also released a statement.

“Our family is heartbroken at the loss of our beloved Warwick,” they said.

“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.”