A BODY has been recovered during a major search and rescue operation for a man who was reported to have fallen overboard from a cruise ship off the east coast of Scotland.
HM Coastguard said a man was reported overboard from a vessel around 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath, Angus, at around 8.35am on Friday.
On Friday evening, Police Scotland said that a body has been recovered.
Formal identification is yet to take place however police said the family of the man who was reported missing has been informed.
A coastguard helicopter and aeroplane were involved in the search along with RNLI lifeboats from Anstruther and Broughty Ferry, and coastguard rescue teams from Dundee, Arbroath and St Andrews.
A commercial search-and-rescue helicopter and several nearby vessels also assisted with searches.
Ambassador Cruise Line said the ship, named Ambition, was en route from Lerwick to Dundee when it was found that a guest was not where they were expected to be.
The vessel docked in Dundee and guests were allowed to disembark after a thorough ship-wide search was carried out.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.55am on Friday August 21 2026 we received a report that a man had gone overboard from a cruise ship in the North Sea, 40 nautical miles from Anstruther, Fife.
“A search and rescue operation, carried out by police and partner agencies, has been ongoing and a body has been recovered.
“Formal identification is yet to take place however the family of the man who was reported missing has been informed.”
An Ambassador Cruise Line spokesperson previously said: “Ambassador follows stringent search-and-rescue protocols in line with international maritime safety standards.
“We continue to work in close collaboration with the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Police Scotland as the investigation continues.
“Ambassador remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of all our guests and crew.
“As a result of this development, today’s turnaround operation in Dundee was slightly delayed.
“However, guests due to travel on board Ambition should make their way to the port as per their embarkation schedule.”
