Australia: Two Passengers from Carnival Spirit Reported Missing, Navy Joins the Search

Two persons, passengers of Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Spirit, were reported missing Thursday morning after the cruise ship docked at Sydneys Circular Quay,  New South Wales state Police confirmed.
Based on the shots of a surveilance video aboard the ship the two passengers,  a 26-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, whose names have not been disclosed, are believed to have fallen overboard the previous night.
The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules and her MRH90 helicopter have been involved in the air and sea search for the two people believed lost off the New South Wales mid-north coast.
HMAS Choules joined the search on Thursday afternoon as she was returning from North Queensland where she was conducting amphibious training exercises. The ship and her helicopter have now been released from the search which was co-ordinated by the New South Wales Water Police. Choules is now on her way to her home port in Sydney.
 “The thoughts of the wider Navy are with the families of those affected by this very sad event,” Vice Admiral Griggs, Chief of Navy said.

Worls Maritime News Staff, May 10, 2013; Image: Wikimedia