Windstar Cruises confirmed an American passenger was reported missing from the Star Breeze on the morning of Jan. 19 while the ship was sailing near the Marquesas Islands. Crew carried out a full shipwide search and the vessel retraced its course until naval aircraft assumed aerial operations. Local reports identify the missing person as a 66-year-old American who reportedly went overboard around 2 a.m.; authorities and the cruise line are cooperating and supporting the family.
American Passenger Reported Missing After Going Overboard From Windstar’s Star Breeze Near Marquesas Islands
ShutterstockWindstar Cruises' 'Star Breeze' ship
Windstar Cruises confirmed that an American guest was reported missing from its small luxury ship, the Star Breeze, on the morning of Jan. 19 while the vessel was sailing in the South Pacific near the Marquesas Islands.
The ship's crew discovered the passenger missing during a routine count and "immediately conducted a full shipwide search," the line said. According to Windstar's Jan. 19 statement, Star Breeze retraced its route to support a man-overboard search until naval aircraft arrived and assumed aerial operations.
Shutterstock'Star Breeze' ship in Tahiti, French Polynesia
What Windstar Says
"Windstar Cruises is deeply saddened to report that a guest aboard Star Breeze was confirmed missing earlier today in the South Pacific," the company said. It added that it is "cooperating fully" with Bahamian and French Polynesian authorities and is "providing support to the guest's family during this difficult time." Windstar extended its "heartfelt condolences to the guest’s family and loved ones."
Local Reports and Timeline
Local outlet Tahiti Infos reported the missing person was a 66-year-old American and said the incident occurred at about 2 a.m. local time on Jan. 19. Cruise-tracking data cited by CruiseMapper places the Star Breeze in the vicinity of the Marquesas Islands when the passenger was found missing. The ship had departed Papeete, Tahiti, on Jan. 15 and was en route to Nuku Hiva; CruiseMapper shows a scheduled return to Papeete on Jan. 28.
GettyMarquesas Islands
Search And Coordination
Authorities involved include French Polynesian search-and-rescue assets; Windstar said it was cooperating with both Bahamian and French Polynesian officials. The company reported that Navy aircraft later took over aerial search operations. PEOPLE has reached out to the French Polynesian Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC Tahiti) for comment.
About The Ship And Line
The Star Breeze is a small luxury cruise ship that operates year-round in French Polynesia. According to Windstar, the vessel accommodates up to 312 passengers and has a crew of 204. Windstar Cruises is a boutique line owned by Xanterra Travel Collection and operates a fleet of small sailing and all-suite ships.
Note: Details about the missing guest have been reported by local media but not all elements have been independently confirmed by Windstar or authorities. The company said it continues to support the guest's family and cooperate with official search efforts.
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