Overboard Europe Dardanelles · 20 August 2025
27-Year-Old Galley Steward Goes Overboard from Sun Princess in the Dardanelles – 20 August 2025
What happened
On 20 August 2025, a 27-year-old Kenyan galley steward went overboard from the cruise ship Sun Princess while the vessel was transiting the Dardanelles Strait near Tekirdağ, Turkey. Despite immediate activation of emergency protocols and extensive coordinated search operations with Turkish maritime authorities, the crew member was not located. The incident resulted in significant itinerary disruptions and prompted a formal investigation by Turkish officials.
Princess Cruises activated its Family Assistance team to support the missing steward's family and provided counseling services onboard for passengers and crew affected by the tragedy.
Details of the rescue
The overboard incident was confirmed through CCTV review, triggering immediate activation of the vessel's emergency protocols. The Sun Princess coordinated with Turkish maritime authorities and deployed multiple rescue boats to search the surrounding waters of the Dardanelles Strait. Despite hours of coordinated search efforts involving the ship and Turkish response assets, no trace of the missing steward was found.
Passengers and crew
Crew
- 27-year-old Kenyan national serving as Galley Steward; crew complement not specified in source.
Casualties
Fatalities
- 1 crew member missing and presumed deceased (27-year-old Kenyan galley steward).
Injuries
- None reported.
Rescued
- No rescue; search operations unsuccessful.
Emergency response
Turkish maritime authorities were notified immediately and coordinated with the Sun Princess on search operations. The vessel was instructed to remain near Tekirdağ to allow Turkish officials to board and conduct an investigation. Multiple rescue boats were deployed to search the surrounding waters of the Dardanelles Strait.
Current status
The Sun Princess delayed its arrival in Istanbul to the afternoon of 21 August 2025 to permit Turkish official boarding and investigation. The scheduled port call at Mykonos on 22 August was cancelled entirely, with all pre-booked shore excursions refunded to passengers. Princess Cruises has provided counseling services onboard and activated family assistance support for the missing crew member's family.
Contact and Assistance
- Princess Cruises Family Assistance: Contact via Princess Cruises customer service for support related to the incident