Dad-of-three who went overboard cruise ship is identified - as his brother reveals his sad final act

A man who went overboard on a cruise ship last week has been identified, as his brother revealed what happened before the tragedy.

A father-of-three who was pulled from the water after going overboard a cruise ship last week has been identified, with his brother claiming he had racked up a $4000 casino debt on board.

P&O’s Pacific Adventure was due to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am on Monday, May 6 at the end of a three-day Elvis-themed cruise, but Shane Dixon, 50, went overboard in the early hours.

The ship remained in the waters just off the city’s eastern suburbs while a huge search was underway and a man’s body was retrieved from the water at 10.30am, 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads.

Shane Dixon is seen with his mother, Sue.

His brother spoke to Daily Mail Australia saying their mother was “devastated” and “broken”.

“She has already buried one son and now she has to bury another one,” Scott Dixon said.

Scott said his brother was going through a rough time and had spent $5000 at the cruise’s casino on the Friday, and then after borrowing money from the family to repay the debt, spent another $4000 the following night.

“His brain was probably going 100 miles an hour. He probably thought, ‘s***, I’ve done it again. I can’t afford it and I can’t ask mum for more money,’’ Scott said.

A spokeswoman for P&O Australia said they won’t be commenting on the claims due to the coroner’s investigation that is underway.

P&O’s Pacific Adventure had been hosting an Elvis-themed voyage called ‘Tribute to The King’, promising a long weekend of “themed parties, karaoke, trivia and much more”.

The Pacific Adventure sailing into Sydney Harbour after a passenger fell overboard. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

One passenger on board the ship, Kel, said that when the alarm sounded on board she lept out of bed.

“We jumped out of bed so fast,” she wrote.

“Was hectic! Been circling in the same spot for over 5hrs now.”

P&O’s Pacific Adventure was cleared by NSW Police to return to port shortly before midday.

Shane Dixon went overboard on May 6. Picture: Facebook

Mr Dixon is from Sydney. Picture: Facebook

In a statement P&O Australia said: “We thank guests for their care, understanding and patience on what’s been a distressing day for guests and crew.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the guest at this difficult time.”

The Carnival Cruise ship Carnival Splendor was also at sea during the search despite being due in port that morning.

It is understood that Splendor had been on standby to assist in the search.

A passenger, who asked not to named, told news.com.au that the situation at sea was “scary”.

“We’re docked out at sea and aren’t allowed in yet due to the search and rescue,” he said before 8am on Monday, May 6.

“An announcement came out for us at 7am saying that an emergency rescue operation was being conducted and we weren’t allowed to enter the channel into the harbour.

“We are maybe 20km out from land and will stay here until we get permission to head back in.”

Another passenger on board Splendor, who goes by @auscruisecouple on TikTok, shared a selfie of the conditions.

“We have been offshore since about 4 o’clock this morning unable to dock due to an emergency situation,” she said.

“We are witnessing the helicopter searching and search and rescue boats as well … it is as you can see, quite choppy.”