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Incident Summary
A precautionary search operation was conducted aboard MSC Seashore in the early hours of Tuesday, 10 March 2026, after information circulated suggesting a passenger may have fallen into the sea. The vessel had departed Ocean Cay, Bahamas shortly before midnight and temporarily manoeuvred back toward the area it had recently passed. Shipboard checks and a full verification of persons on board found the report was unfounded, and all persons were accounted for. The vessel then resumed its original course and continued toward Nassau as scheduled.
Vessel Information
- Vessel Name: MSC Seashore
- Vessel Type: Cruise ship
- Operator/Cruise Line: Not specified
- Flag State: Not specified
- Passengers on Board: Not specified
- Crew on Board: Not specified
Details of the Incident
The vessel departed Ocean Cay, Bahamas shortly before midnight as part of a 4-night itinerary. Not long after departure on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, a message circulating among passengers indicated that a male guest might have gone overboard from one of the ship’s public decks.
In response, the bridge team ordered a precautionary manoeuvre, turning the vessel back toward the area it had recently passed while crew members directed searchlights across the surrounding waters. The ship’s officers also initiated a technical review of onboard monitoring systems, examining surveillance camera video recordings and data from automated man-overboard detection equipment.
As an additional safety measure, passengers were requested to return to their cabins while the crew conducted a full verification of those on board. Using the electronic cruise card system, ship staff carried out a complete headcount to confirm the presence of both guests and crew.
Shortly after 1:00am, the vessel’s master informed passengers via the public address system that everyone aboard was accounted for and the earlier report was classified as a false alarm. The vessel then resumed its original course and continued its voyage toward Nassau as scheduled.
Injuries and Casualties
- Fatalities: None reported
- Injuries: None reported
- Passengers Affected: Passengers were requested to return to their cabins during the verification process
Emergency Response
- Shipboard precautionary search conducted, including a turn-back manoeuvre and use of searchlights
- Not specified
- Not specified
Maritime Investigation
A technical review was conducted by the ship’s officers, including examination of surveillance camera recordings and automated man-overboard detection equipment data. The review produced no evidence that a person had entered the water.
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) involvement: Not specified
- Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) involvement: Not specified
Operator Response
Not specified
Conclusion
The precautionary operation concluded after a headcount confirmed all guests and crew were accounted for, and the report was classified as a false alarm. MSC Seashore resumed its original course and continued toward Nassau as scheduled, with no overboard incident reported.