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Cruise Ship Passenger Lost Overboard At Glacier Bay National Park

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By Kurt Repanshek - July 15th, 2018
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve/Kurt Repanshek

A 69-year-old cruise ship passenger has been lost overboard at Glacier Bay National Park/Kurt Repanshek file

Editor's note: An update to this story can be found at this page: Man Overboard For 9 Hours Before Being Reported Missing At Glacier Bay National Park

A 69-year-old passenger of a Holland America cruise ship has been lost overboard at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in Alaska.

In a brief news release, the park said Saturday night that it had suspended its search for the man, who was reported missing from Westerdam on Friday. The individual was reported missing at 3:50 p.m. when he did not appear for a medical appointment on board, a park release said.

The Park Service was notified 7:30 Friday evening after a ship-wide search confirmed that the passenger was absent. 

Searches for the unidentified passenger were conducted both from Park Service boats and from the air, supported by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The release did not say where along the 65-mile Glacier Bay the man was reported missing, and park staff could not immediately be reached Sunday morning.

Holland America Westerdam/NPS HO

This file photo of the Holland America Westerdam was released by the National Park Service.



 

Comments

Submitted by Debbie on July 16, 2018 - 8:49am.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was reported missing when he didn't show up for a medical appointmen. Why wasn't he reported by his wife or whoever he was traveling with? 


Submitted by Manu on July 16, 2018 - 9:08am.

Safety at sea is the primary concern for a captain and cruise line.most of this very sad incidents are suicides or passengers who don't obbey the rules and safety measures in place.Im sure they did as much as possible,it is their job and obligation.Our condolences to the family.


Submitted by Lynnette on July 16, 2018 - 9:14am.

What does the captain usually do when they're told a passenger is missing (I've never been on a cruise ship before, so I'm clueless here)? Do they immediately stop the ship where it stands, then double back (after an unsuccessful search of the ship, of course)? Or do they send rescue boats from off the ship to go back and search? Or do they call authorities and wait for assistance from them?

I'm also curious as to what happens to the cruises itinerary/schedule when something like this occurs?


Submitted by Vkm on July 16, 2018 - 9:14am.

sending prayers  for the man, his family the s&r crew, and certainly for the captain and his crew.  I'm sure it caused trauma for all involved - nobody WANTS to lose a person overboard.....  I believe the captain did what he thought was correct in this terrible situation.  I get stressed out if I'm five minutes late to work- I can't imagine how the cruise captain felt. We are ALL only human after all. 


Submitted by Curious Mind on July 16, 2018 - 9:27am.

I said the exact same thing Nana x4


Submitted by Bmac on July 16, 2018 - 9:28am.

The article also stated that he had missed a medical appointment. It's possible he had a medical condition that caused him to become lightheaded and fall overboard. 


Submitted by Gypsy on July 16, 2018 - 9:33am.

I have been on a transatlantic cruise where a crew member committed suicide by leaping from the top deck at the back where the propellers are. We searched, as did other ships, after this was discovered. There are procedures in place. But we all knew we would find nothing. I have also cruised in Glacier Bay. The water is extremely cold. This man would have died of hypothermia even if he survived the fall. It is sad but there is only so much a ship can do. I have cruised more times than I ever added them up & falling off of a cruise ship is not easy. You have to be drunk or dumb enough to climb on railings or you mean to go over. Even in storms you have to take crazy risks, & the ship is moving slower in Glacier Bay so that passengers can see the beauty. He is not treading water: that man near Cuba was in warm water & incredibly lucky


Submitted by Watson H. on July 16, 2018 - 9:41am.

I was just reading the comments. I have never been on a cruise and I would hatd to second guess a Captain and his/her crew. 

Thats tge wordt thing that can happen on a cruise but it sounds like they did try to.locate the man.


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