MSC Poesia Crew Overboard Incident 2025: Search and Rescue Operation Underway

On 21 February 2025, a 32-year-old Filipino crew member, Bueno Jeric, went overboard from the MSC Poesia, a large cruise vessel operated by MSC Cruises, shortly after the ship departed Montevideo, Uruguay. The incident triggered an immediate coordinated search and rescue operation involving the Uruguayan and Brazilian navies as the vessel transitioned into Brazilian territorial waters en route to Camboriú, Brazil.

The crew member was reported missing after failing to report for duty. Surveillance footage and bridge wing camera imagery confirmed the overboard incident and pinpointed the exact moment of the occurrence. Despite extensive search efforts by both naval authorities, the outcome of the operation remains uncertain.

Bueno Jeric was reported missing after failing to report for duty following the MSC Poesia's departure from Montevideo at 17:00 local time on 21 February 2025. Ship officers reviewed surveillance footage and identified the crew member on Deck 7 near the forward-portside liferaft station. Additional imagery from a bridge wing camera confirmed movement in the water and pinpointed the exact moment of the overboard incident. At the time, the vessel was approximately 13 nautical miles from Brazilian waters, en route to Camboriú with an expected arrival of 23 February.

Crew

• One crew member, Bueno Jeric (32 years old, Filipino national), went overboard.

Fatalities

• Status unknown; search and rescue operation ongoing at time of report.

Injuries

• None reported.

Rescued

• None at time of report; search operation underway.

Upon detecting the overboard incident, the MSC Poesia immediately contacted the Uruguayan Navy, which launched a coordinated search and rescue operation. The Uruguayan Navy deployed a patrol vessel and reconnaissance aircraft, with a helicopter placed on standby. Navigational warnings were issued to vessels in the vicinity. By Sunday, 23 February, as the search area transitioned into Brazilian territorial waters, the Brazilian maritime authority assumed control of the operation. Uruguayan authorities were requested to continue efforts within their jurisdiction to maximize the chances of locating the missing crew member.

An investigation is currently underway to determine whether the overboard incident was accidental or deliberate. All available evidence, including surveillance footage and witness statements, has been secured onboard the MSC Poesia and will be submitted to relevant authorities for examination. MSC Cruises is cooperating fully with authorities and has pledged to support the ongoing investigation.

The search and rescue operation remains active as of the report date. The outcome of the operation is uncertain, underscoring the difficulties of locating individuals in open water, particularly after prolonged exposure. The incident has raised concerns about crew safety and the effectiveness of overboard detection systems on modern cruise ships.