Key Aspects:
- An overboard has been reported from Marella Explorer 2 in the Canary Islands on Thursday, November 27.
- A 76-year-old British man is reported overboard and search operations are underway to locate him.
- The search was suspended overnight but has resumed on Friday, though no further details have been released.
A worrying situation is developing from Marella Explorer 2 after a 76-year-old British passenger was seen going overboard from the British-operated ship on the morning of Thursday, November 27, 2025.
According to local news, the ship was 16.5 miles northwest of Punta Teno, on the west coast of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. At the time, the vessel was heading back to its homeport of Santa Cruz in Tenerife.
The local Spanish Coast Guard was reportedly contacted at 9:48 a.m. and immediately launched a search operation. Assets include two helicopters, an aircraft, and a patrol boat from La Palma, all coordinating to cover the search area as efficiently as possible.
One passenger from onboard told Cruise Hive that the alarm sounded at 9:45 AM and the vessel returned to search. Here’s footage of the rescue operation underway:
Marella Explorer 2 also aided in search efforts until authorities could take over the efforts sufficiently. Releasing a cruise ship to continue on its itinerary is standard procedure after more specialized assets arrive for the search.
Marella Cruises has confirmed the overboard incident with Cruise Hive:
“We are deeply saddened to confirm that a guest was seen entering the water while the ship was on passage to La Gomera. Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time. Our dedicated care team is supporting the family, providing assistance and comfort. We are working closely with local authorities and will continue to offer every possible support.”
No further details about the individual, including their name, have been released in order to protect the privacy of family members and friends at this very upsetting time.
Witnesses onboard Marella Explorer 2 have been interviewed about the incident, but no information about any particular circumstances – such as alcohol consumption or potential violence – has been confirmed. Guests did hear the overboard emergency alert when the incident occurred.
Undoubtedly, a full investigation will take place, including reviewing any onboard security footage in the hours before the guest fell overboard.
Read Also: What Happens If You Jump Off a Cruise Ship?
The 1,814-passenger ship has already returned to Santa Cruz as scheduled on Friday, November 28. The cruise had initially departed seven nights earlier, on Friday, November 21.
Marella Explorer 2 is homeported from the Canary Islands, offering departures from various ports in the islands. The ship was constructed in 1995 as Legend of the Seas with Royal Caribbean, and entered service with Marella Cruises in 2017.
Search to Continue on Friday
While the initial search was called off late on Thursday as darkness impeded efforts, the search was resumed on Friday morning with helicopters.
Search efforts will continue until authorities determine it is either unsafe to do so or else there is little hope of successfully finding the individual.
Unfortunately, these types of situations rarely end with a good result. While it is always hoped that an individual will be recovered alive, the longer someone is in the water without assistance, the less likely it is that they will be found safe.
Overboard incidents are rare when compared to the number of cruise ships and the hundreds of thousands of guests enjoying sailings every day around the world, but they do happen.
Cruise Hive’s thoughts are with the family members and friends of the missing guest, as well as the crew of Marella Explorer 2 at this very troubling time.
