The search for an Australian man who plunged into the ocean from a cruise ship was officially suspended.
Warwick Tollemache, a 35-year-old man from Australia, fell overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas vessel during its journey from Brisbane to Honolulu. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 25, at around 11 p.m. local time, approximately 500 miles south of Kailua Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island.
In response to the incident, the ship’s crew immediately commenced search and rescue efforts, remaining at the scene for roughly two hours. Despite their best attempts, they were unable to locate Tollemache. Local authorities then took over the search operation as the ship continued its course. Royal Caribbean confirmed that their crew worked diligently with relevant authorities during this time.
The US Coast Guard conducted a thorough search for the passenger the following morning, completing five missions over a six-hour period. However, on Thursday, the Coast Guard announced the suspension of the search after consulting with Tollemache’s family. Kevin Cooper, a search and rescue operation coordinator at Honolulu’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center, stated that the decision was made after careful evaluation of all available information.
As the devastating news spread, friends and family of Tollemache took to social media to express their grief and share heartfelt tributes. Mandy Tollemache, speaking on behalf of the family, characterized her relative as a kind, beautiful, and gentle soul whose absence would be deeply felt. Terence Dicks, a close friend of Warwick, conveyed the immense sorrow and pain that came with knowing he would never see or embrace his friend again.
It is still unknown how the passenger fell from the ship, but a passenger told reporters that several passengers said that two crew members saw Tollermache go overboard.
“A lady heard a scream, went out onto the balcony and saw him drop past, hit the tender below and fall into the water,” the passenger told Sky News.
The overboard incident followed an earlier death of a woman on the cruise, due to a medical emergency.
