A man is believed to have gone overboard from a cruise ship which has docked in Dundee, as a major search operation is under way. Emergency services were alerted at around 8.30am on Friday, August 21 after reports a man had fallen into the water roughly 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath.
Ship docks in Dundee during search
The Ambassador Ambition cruise ship, believed to be the vessel the man was travelling on, had reportedly been on a solar eclipse trip around Iceland, the Faroes and Shetland. Travellers were due to disembark and head home from Scotland at around 11am.
However, the ship has now berthed at a Dundee port while desperate efforts continue to find the missing man. It is understood more than 1,000 passengers and crew remain on board while the search takes place.
Coastguard and lifeboats deployed
An HM Coastguard helicopter and aeroplane have been sent to the scene alongside RNLI lifeboats and Coastguard Rescue Teams. A commercial search and rescue helicopter and multiple nearby vessels are also assisting.
An HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "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."
Police confirm man remains missing
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."
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."
Ambition Cruise Ship has been contacted for comment by the Record.
