A joint search operation is ongoing after a crew member fell overboard from the MSC Poesia cruise ship shortly after it departed Montevideo, Uruguay. The incident on Friday, February 21, marks the first man overboard case involving a cruise ship in 2025.
The missing crew member has been identified as 32-year-old Bueno Jeric from the Philippines. His disappearance from the MSC Cruises vessel was discovered when he failed to report for duty. A review of the ship’s security footage revealed that he went overboard while the vessel was approximately 13 nautical miles from Brazilian waters.
It also showed Jeric on deck 7, port side forward, near the life raft station before falling into the ocean. Another camera recorded movement in the water shortly after his fall.
MSC Poesia departed Buenos Aires on February 20, with Montevideo, Uruguay, as its first port of call. The ship will visit three Brazilian ports before returning to Argentina on February 28.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The Uruguayan Navy initiated a search and rescue operation using a patrol boat and an aircraft, with a helicopter on standby. Nearby vessels were also alerted to assist in the search. As the operation shifted into Brazilian waters, the Brazilian Navy took over the lead, while Uruguay continued assisting within its own jurisdiction.
Maritime searches are particularly challenging due to shifting currents and weather conditions. Authorities are covering the designated search area systematically, but the chances of locating an individual in open water diminish significantly over time.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Jeric’s fall to determine whether it was accidental or involved other factors.
As the search for Bueno Jeric continues, the maritime community closely monitors developments, hoping for a resolution in this challenging search and rescue mission.
Although cruise ships adhere to strict safety protocols, man-overboard incidents occur yearly. In 2024, 19 cases were reported, a sobering reminder of life at sea.
The Cruise Line International Association told Cruise Radio, “Tragic accidents are exceedingly rare based on data tracked by CLIA. Even one incident is one too many—and railings are designed to prevent people from accidents. It is extremely rare for someone to go overboard or for accidents to occur from balconies (on average, the incent rate over the 11-year period from 2009 to 2019 is 0.0004).”
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