Body recovered after man reported overboard from Ambition
Police Scotland said the missing man’s family had been informed, although formal identification had not taken place.
Police Scotland said it received a report at around 8.55am on Friday, August 21, 2026, that a man had gone overboard from a cruise ship in the North Sea, about 40 nautical miles from Anstruther, Fife.
HM Coastguard reported that a man went overboard from Ambition at roughly 8.35am, when the vessel was approximately 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath, Angus. Ambassador Cruise Line confirmed that the ship was traveling from Lerwick to Dundee when a passenger could not be located.
Police and partner agencies conducted a search-and-rescue operation. The Coastguard said one of its helicopters and one of its aircraft took part, alongside a commercial search-and-rescue helicopter and nearby vessels.
Police Scotland said a body was recovered during the operation. Formal identification had yet to take place, but the family of the man reported missing had been notified.
Ambassador Cruise Line said the incident slightly delayed the turnaround operation in Dundee. Guests due to depart aboard Ambition were told to follow their scheduled embarkation arrangements. Passengers on the ship were initially delayed from leaving and were allowed to disembark at about 11:30.