Urgent Search Underway After Passenger Goes Overbo...

The brand new 12 months just isn’t beginning as fortunately as potential aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, as a visitor has gone overboard within the early hours of January 1, 2026.

A visitor onboard the 99,863-gross-ton ship alerted Cruise Hive to the scenario.

“Presently on the Nieuw Statendam. A visitor has apparently gone overboard in the course of the early hours of January 1st, 2026. The Captain has turned the ship round and is presently working with US Coast Guard property to look our earlier observe,” the visitor wrote.

Satellite tv for pc monitoring confirms Nieuw Statendam did certainly reverse course and start a zig-zag search sample north of Baracoa, Cuba, again towards the Dominican Republic.

Different visitors have noted on social media that onboard bulletins had been made at roughly 4:30 p.m. and eight a.m., first on the lookout for a lacking girl and later confirming she was now not on the ship and {that a} search operation was underway.

The Pinnacle-class ship is having a day at sea on Thursday, January 1, as she sails from Amber Cove within the Dominican Republic to Key West, Florida, for the final port of name on the 7-night Japanese Caribbean itinerary.

Nieuw Statendam spent New 12 months’s Eve in Amber Cove and plans to go to Key West on January 2.

Relying on how lengthy the search efforts proceed earlier than the cruise ship is launched, the go to to Key West could must be adjusted or cancelled. Nieuw Statendam is because of return to her homeport in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday, January 3, for debarkation.

Cruise Line Confirms Overboard

Cruise Hive reached out to Holland America Line for affirmation of the incident and obtained the next assertion:

“We’re deeply saddened to verify that whereas crusing in waters north of Cuba, a visitor on Nieuw Statendam went overboard earlier right this moment.  The captain and crew initiated search and rescue procedures and are looking out the realm working intently with the U.S. Coast Guard which has deployed a cutter and helicopter to help.”

Sadly, the unhappy incident seems to be a deliberate motion on the visitor’s half, because the cruise line reviewed safety footage for the second of the overboard.

“A overview of closed-circuit cameras reveals the visitor alone on the ship’s third deck showing to go overboard deliberately,” the assertion mentioned.

Learn Additionally: What Happens During a Cruise Ship Overboard Alarm?

No additional particulars in regards to the visitor have been launched. That is commonplace process to guard the privateness of the person in addition to any potential touring corporations, relations, or pals, significantly whereas an lively search remains to be underway.

Holland America Line’s household help crew is providing assist to the visitor’s household.

“Our ideas are with the visitor’s family members throughout this troublesome time,” the cruise line mentioned to Cruise Hive.

Overboard Incidents

Sadly, overboard incidents do occur on cruises. In late November, an elderly guest went overboard from Marella Explorer 2 within the Canary Islands, whereas just some days earlier, a visitor handed away after jumping overboard from Disney Wonder close to Tasmania.

No matter the place, when, or how an overboard happens, cruise ships will instantly begin search operations, utilizing all obtainable assets to aim to find a lacking and presumed overboard visitor or crew member.

This contains alerting the closest authorities to the scenario and probably calling on help from some other ships close by to look.

As soon as different property are capable of take over the search, the cruise ship will seemingly be launched to proceed on its itinerary. When this occurs will depend upon the search space to be lined, what property can be found, climate situations, how lengthy the search has been ongoing, and different elements.

Cruise Hive’s ideas are with everybody aboard Nieuw Statendam at this troubling time, particularly these relations and pals most immediately affected in addition to crew members who will want they might have been of help to keep away from such a tragic begin to the brand new 12 months.