Overboard Europe Off the coast of Kent, England · 22 October 2023
Crew Death (Overboard) on AIDAperla: 22 October 2023
What happened
On 22 October 2023, a male crew member went missing from the cruise ship AIDAperla while the vessel was navigating off the coast of Kent, England, near Ramsgate. Despite an extensive search and rescue operation coordinated by HM Coastguard, the RNLI, and the ship's crew, the crew member was not recovered.
The incident occurred at the outset of a 9-day voyage from Hamburg to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. HM Coastguard called off the search operation at approximately 6:30 PM (17:30 UTC) the same day.
Details of the rescue
The alarm was raised when AIDAperla reported the crew member's disappearance to HM Coastguard at approximately 9:00 AM BST (8:00 AM UTC). HM Coastguard immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, deploying a rescue helicopter from HM Coastguard Airbase in Lydd, supported by a Beechcraft King Air fixed-wing aircraft. The RNLI dispatched lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover to assist. Captain Boris Becker announced the incident to passengers via the ship's PA system at 10:45 AM (9:45 UTC). AIDAperla altered course and proceeded to the designated search area, approximately 100 kilometres (60 miles) away, arriving around 1:30 PM (12:30 UTC) and conducting search operations for approximately one hour. The coordinated search effort involved multiple agencies and vessels, but the crew member's body was not located.
Casualties
Fatalities
- 1 male crew member, presumed lost overboard; body not recovered.
Injuries
- None reported.
Rescued
- No recovery operation successful.
Emergency response
HM Coastguard coordinated the response, deploying a rescue helicopter from Lydd Airbase and a Beechcraft King Air fixed-wing aircraft. The RNLI provided lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover stations. AIDAperla's crew assisted by altering course to the search area and conducting onboard search operations. The combined effort continued for approximately 9.5 hours before HM Coastguard suspended the operation at 6:30 PM (17:30 UTC).
Contact and assistance
- HM Coastguard (UK): 999 (emergency) or VHF Channel 16
- AIDA Cruises Customer Service: Available through the operator's main contact channels