Body recovered after man reportedly fell overboard from cruise ship off Scottish coast

Police have recovered a body after a man reportedly fell overboard from a cruise ship off the east coast of Scotland.

Ambition - operated by Ambassador Cruise Line - was en-route from Lerwick to Dundee on Friday when a guest could not be found.

HM Coastguard said a man was reported overboard around 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath, Angus, at about 8.35am.

The ship was docked in Dundee and guests disembarked as a thorough search was carried out.

On Friday evening, Police Scotland confirmed a body had been recovered after a major search and rescue operation.

Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of the man who was reported missing have been informed.

The Coastguard confirmed that one of its helicopters and an aircraft were involved in the search.

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."

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Ambassador Cruise Line earlier said in a statement: "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, 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."

Ambition recently travelled on a 19-day solar eclipse cruise from Dundee to the Mediterranean, returning to Scotland on 15 August.

(c) Sky News 2026: Body recovered after man reportedly fell overboard from cruise ship off Scottish coast