On the morning of Thursday, November 27, 2025, a sense of calm aboard the Marella Explorer 2—an adults-only cruise ship operated by TUI—was shattered by the piercing sound of an emergency alarm. The vessel, a 14-deck behemoth capable of housing up to 1,814 passengers, was en route from the Portuguese island of Madeira to the Canary Islands, specifically heading toward La Gomera, when the call of "man overboard" echoed through its decks. The incident, which would soon draw international attention, took place approximately 16 nautical miles northwest of Punta de Teno, off the west coast of Tenerife.
According to a spokesperson for the Spanish coastguard, a 76-year-old man from the British Isles was confirmed to have gone overboard. "It has been confirmed he went overboard and is aged 76. The search for him started yesterday and is continuing today. The search was relaunched at first light this morning," the spokesperson stated, as reported by Metro. The initial alarm was sounded at 9:45 a.m. local time, and the ship's captain immediately slowed the vessel to a near halt, activating established protocol procedures. These included reviewing onboard security cameras, launching marker buoys, and performing circular search maneuvers in the hope of locating the missing passenger.
Lesley-Anne Kelly, a passenger onboard, recalled the shocking moment the alarm was raised. "Everybody was up and about. It was pretty bright, so yeah I can imagine if someone had gone in at that time of the day they would have been seen by multiple people," she told BBC News. Kelly described a somber mood that settled over the ship as the reality of the situation became clear. "It was pretty sombre last night, especially after the announcement that they were standing down the search," she added, reflecting the emotional toll the incident had on fellow travelers.
The search and rescue operation was nothing short of extensive. Under the direction of the Tenerife Harbour Master’s Office and coordinated by the CCS Tenerife, Spanish authorities mobilized a formidable array of resources. The Helimer 201 helicopter, Salvamar Menkalinan and Salvamar Mizar rescue vessels, as well as the Sasemar 103 search and rescue aircraft, were all swiftly deployed. The operation also received support from a German-flagged yacht that answered the ship’s SOS call and the Río Guadiato patrol boat from La Palma. The search, which had to be suspended overnight due to darkness, resumed at first light on Friday, November 28, with vessels and aircraft working in shifts to maximize coverage of the search area.
Despite the rapid and coordinated response, the missing man had not been located by Friday evening. Local media, including Voz Populi and El Dia, reported that the operation remained open, with authorities refraining from releasing further personal details or the precise circumstances of the fall as investigations continued. Witnesses onboard were interviewed by both ship staff and authorities, and a thorough review of security footage was initiated to determine exactly what transpired in the hours leading up to the incident. As is customary in such investigations, the privacy of the individual and their family was respected, with no further identifying information made public.
The Foreign Office confirmed that it had not been approached for consular assistance in this case, a detail that underscored the ongoing efforts being managed locally by Spanish authorities and TUI’s crisis support teams. According to TUI, "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." This statement, echoed across several outlets including The Tab and Cruise Hive, highlighted the cruise operator’s commitment to both transparency and compassion in the wake of tragedy.
The Marella Explorer 2, which had departed Tenerife on November 21 for a seven-night Canarian Flavours tour with scheduled stops in Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Madeira, and La Gomera, returned to its homeport of Santa Cruz de Tenerife as planned in the early hours of Friday, November 28. The decision to allow the ship to resume its itinerary after specialized rescue assets arrived is standard maritime procedure, ensuring that search and rescue operations are not hampered by the presence of a large passenger vessel.
Overboard incidents, while rare given the sheer number of cruise ships and passengers traversing the world’s oceans each year, remain among the most feared emergencies at sea. The drop from the Marella Explorer 2 was estimated to be around 200 feet—a harrowing prospect under any circumstances. As reported by The Tab, the man is presumed dead as the search continues, though authorities have not officially confirmed this status. The longer an individual remains in open water without rescue, the less likely it is that they will be found alive, a reality that weighs heavily on both search teams and those connected to the missing.
Passengers onboard the Marella Explorer 2 were kept informed throughout the ordeal, with announcements regarding the status of the search and the interviewing of witnesses. The ship's crew, alongside TUI’s care team, provided support to those affected, ensuring that the emotional needs of guests and staff were not overlooked amid the operational demands of the emergency.
This incident comes in a year already marked by several high-profile cruise ship accidents, raising questions about safety protocols and passenger awareness. While investigations into the circumstances of this specific incident are ongoing, cruise operators worldwide routinely review and update safety measures, including overboard detection systems, crew training, and passenger education, to minimize risk and respond swiftly when emergencies arise.
As the search for the missing British tourist continues off the coast of Tenerife, the thoughts of many remain with his family and loved ones. The efforts of the Spanish coastguard, local authorities, and international partners serve as a reminder of the challenges—and the humanity—at the heart of maritime travel. For the passengers and crew of the Marella Explorer 2, this voyage will be remembered not just for its scenic ports of call, but for the tragic event that unfolded in the open waters of the Atlantic.
