A search operation is currently in progress off the Kent (England) coast in response to reports of a male crew member falling overboard from a cruise ship. The incident prompted HM Coastguard's response at ~9:00 BST (~8 AM UTC) on Sunday, October 22, with the man having gone missing from AIDAperla ship near Ramsgate.
The HM Coastguard mobilized their search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, along with a Beechcraft King Air (fixed-wing plane) to aid in the search effort. Additionally, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) dispatched lifeboats from both Ramsgate and Dover to assist in the operation.
AIDA Cruises has confirmed that the AIDAperla was en route from Hamburg Germany to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at the time of the overboard.
A spokesman for AIDA said the captain and crew of AIDAperla had "immediately initiated all necessary rescue measures, in close co-ordination with the local authorities."
"The search on board confirmed that a male crew member is missing. The ship was immediately stopped and returned to the spot where the incident was believed to have taken part in the search."
For more AIDAperla incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.