Search suspended for passenger who fell overboard from Scottish ferry

The Coastguard’s search operation for a passenger who fell overboard from a ferry off the Scottish coast has been suspended.

Police Scotland said a 64-year-old man went missing on Sunday afternoon while crossing the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland.

It is understood they fell from a Western Ferries vessel which operates a car and passenger between Dunoon and Gourock.

Coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats and nearby boats – including a CalMac Ferries vessel – joined the efforts to find the missing passenger.

Ferry operators CalMac and Western Ferries suspended their services for a time on Sunday.

While HM Coastguard said its operation had been suspended, Police Scotland told Metro its searches in the water and along the shoreline continued.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency told Metro: ‘HM Coastguard responded to reports of a person overboard between the Hunter’s Quay and Gourock area in Scotland on Sunday 15 June.

‘An HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was tasked to conduct a search, alongside coastguard rescue teams from Largs, Kames, Helensburgh, Greenock and Dunoon, in addition to RNLI lifeboats from Helensburgh and Largs. Nearby vessels were also called to assist.

‘Police Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service are also in attendance.

‘The search has been suspended.’

Chief Inspector James McArthur told Metro: ‘Around 1.40pm on Sunday, 15 June, 2025, we received a report of a 64-year-old man missing from a ferry travelling between Gourock and Dunoon.

‘Police and partner agencies including the Coastguard attended and extensive searches have been carried out on the water and shoreline.

‘Searches and enquires on ongoing and officers are providing support to his family.’

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