A major search operation is under way after a man is believed to have gone overboard from a cruise ship that has since docked in Dundee.
Emergency services were alerted at around 8.30am on Friday (August 21) following reports that a passenger had fallen into the sea roughly 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath.
The Ambassador Ambition, which had been sailing on a solar eclipse voyage around Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Shetland, was due to disembark travellers in Scotland late morning. Instead, the vessel diverted to Dundee as efforts to locate the missing man were stepped up, the Daily Record reports.
Passengers Cleared to Disembark
More than 1,000 passengers and crew were initially asked to remain onboard but have now been permitted to leave. HM Coastguard has deployed a helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, RNLI lifeboats and multiple rescue teams, with additional support from a commercial search-and-rescue helicopter and nearby vessels.
A statement issued by the cruise operator to the Record read: "Ambassador Cruise Line can confirm that the Captain of Ambition reported a missing person incident earlier this morning. The ship, which is now berthed in Dundee, was on passage from Lerwick to Dundee when the alarm was raised after it was found that a guest was not where they were expected to be.
"Guests on board have been kept informed of developments by the Captain and a thorough ship-wide search was carried out on arrival in Dundee. Having initially been asked to remain on board while the search was carried out, guests have now been cleared to disembark."
Coastguard and RNLI Response
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard stated: "HM Coastguard is coordinating the response to a report made at about 8.35am on 21 August of a man overboard from a passenger vessel in waters about 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath.
"An HM Coastguard helicopter and aeroplane have been sent as well as RNLI lifeboats from Anstruther and Broughty Ferry, and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Dundee, Arbroath and St Andrews."
A commercial search and rescue helicopter and several nearby vessels are assisting with searches. The passenger vessel has berthed at Dundee. Police Scotland has been informed.
An RNLI spokesperson said: "All-weather lifeboats from Anstruther and Broughty Ferry RNLI launched shortly after 9.30am today (Friday 21 August) to support HM Coastguard in a search for a missing person overboard from a passenger vessel approximately 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath."
Police Investigation Ongoing
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 8.55am on Friday, 21 August, 2026, police received a report a man had gone overboard from a cruise ship in the North Sea, 40 nautical miles from Anstruther, Fife. A search and rescue operation is currently being carried out by HM Coastguard, but the man remains missing.
"His next of kin is aware. Police enquiries remain ongoing".
Ambassador Cruise Line added that it follows stringent search and rescue protocols in line with international maritime safety standards, and continues to work with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, HM Coastguard and Police Scotland. The company noted that today's turnaround operation in Dundee was slightly delayed, but guests due to travel on board Ambition should make their way to the port as per their embarkation schedule.
