Body pulled from waters of La Perouse in eastern Sydney amid desperate search for passenger lost overboard

A cruise ship where a passenger reportedly fell overboard has been snapped arriving in Sydney, ending a day of tragedy for emergency services and travellers.

The first images have emerged of a cruise ship pulling into Sydney hours after a search and rescue effort which ended in tragedy.

A body was pulled from the waters off eastern Sydney about 10.30am after a passenger reportedly fell overboard from the P & O Pacific Adventure at 4am on Monday.

Passengers due to leave from White Bay Cruise Terminal were left stranded for some 7½ hours.

In a statement, police said a report will be prepared for the coroner after a body was found in the waters of La Perouse by officers attached to Police Marine Area Command.

Police will launch an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

The Pacific Adventure sails into Sydney Harbour on Monday after a passenger fell overboard early in the morning, leading to major delays. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Passengers due to board the ship at White Bay Cruise Terminal were left waiting for up to 7.5 hours following the search and rescue. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The ship’s delayed arrival brings an end to the tragic day after it was set to dock in Sydney Harbour at 6am, only for authorities to launch the search for the missing passenger.

In a statement, P & O Cruises Australia said Pacific Adventure’s voyage to White Bay in the afternoon had been delayed, with the ship expected to leave later tonight on a four-night voyage to Queensland.

“We thank guests for their care, understanding and patience on what’s been a distressing day for guests and crew,” a spokeswoman said

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

A text sent out by P & O Cruises Australia regarding the delay to Pacific Adventure's voyage. Picture: Supplied

Customers were left stranded and confused at White Bay Cruise Terminal on Monday.

At noon, cruisers were given the option to retrieve checked baggage and had shuttle buses ready to ferry them back to Darling Harbour.

In a text to travellers, P & O Cruises Australia said Pacific Adventure was slated for a 2.30pm docking at White Bay.

Passengers at White Bay Cruise Terminal awaiting the ship’s arrival. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Staff await the arrival of Pacific Adventures after a passenger fell overboard on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The company stated the check-in for the cruise had been delayed by some 7½ hours as a result of the search and rescue operation.

“All guests will need to be on-board by 10.30pm,” the text states.

“Dinner and the on-board entertainment program will be extended and we do not expect the later departure to impact the itinerary.”

Earlier, NSW Police said they were leading the search following a reports a person was in the water.

“Just after 4am today emergency services received reports a person had gone overboard off a ship 10 nautical miles off Sydney Heads,” a NSW Police spokesman said.

“NSW Police Marine Area Command have deployed a number of resources to search for the person and are leading the co-ordination of the water search.”

A Toll Ambulance Rescue Helicopter has also been combing a large body of water off Sydney Heads.

A statement from P & O Cruises Australian said more than 2600 guests were on-board, and the ship has been onsite searching “with other nearby vessels deployed to the area by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre”.

A text was sent to travellers on Monday morning informing them of the delay, with boarding expected to commence about 2.30pm. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

Passengers have been warned of a 7½ hour delay to the ship’s arrival. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

“The family of this guest is being cared for by our on-board team while every effort is being made to find them,” it read.

“Pacific Adventure’s arrival into White Bay Terminal this morning has been delayed while the search continues.”

One passenger told radio station 2GB they had been woken up with a “man overboard call”.

Another listener, Brad, who was on his way to the terminal to pick up passengers, told breakfast host Ben Fordham that passengers had told him not to rush, as the ship was “stopped outside the head and somebody’s gone overboard”.

A Toll Rescue helicopter has been deployed around Sydney Heads. Picture: FlightRadar24

In a statement, P & O Cruises Australia said Pacific Adventure’s voyage to White Bay in the afternoon had been delayed, with the ship expected to leave later tonight on a four-night voyage to Queensland. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard

The Pacific Adventure was previously billed as Golden Princess, before facing controversy for docking and disembarking in Melbourne while carrying Covid-compromised passengers in April 2020.

In May 2023 the Pacific Adventure made headlines off the coast of Sydney when a cabin fire caused by a guest smoking in bed led to a passenger evacuation off the coast of Sydney.

P & O Cruises is a British cruise line.