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OAP goes missing from cruise ship OAP goes missing from cruise ship
(about 1 hour later)
A search is under way for a British pensioner who has gone missing from a cruise ship off the coast of Portugal. A search is under way for a Scottish pensioner who has disappeared from a cruise ship going from Spain to the US.
The 73-year-old, who is believed to be from Scotland, was travelling alone. James Ewan, 73, of Burntisland, Fife, was travelling alone.
Celebrity Cruises said a crew member reported the man missing on Wednesday after it was discovered he had not used his cabin. Celebrity Cruises said a crew member reported Mr Ewan missing on Wednesday after it was discovered he had not used his cabin.
A company spokeswoman said the ship had retraced its path to look for the man but after several hours the coastguard took over the search. A company spokeswoman said the ship had retraced its path to look for the pensioner but after several hours the coastguard took over the search.
The ship, Celebrity Century, left Madeira on Wednesday but logs indicated the man had not disembarked there. The ship, Celebrity Century, left Madeira on Wednesday but logs indicated Mr Ewan had not disembarked there.
When security records showed he had not gone off the ship the captain was told Lynn MartensteinCelebrity CruisesWhen security records showed he had not gone off the ship the captain was told Lynn MartensteinCelebrity Cruises
The liner was on a 14-night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona, Spain, to Miami, which began last Friday. It is now continuing on its route.The liner was on a 14-night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona, Spain, to Miami, which began last Friday. It is now continuing on its route.
Spokeswoman Lynn Martenstein said the company was reviewing surveillance tapes and talking to people who might have seen the man. Spokeswoman Lynn Martenstein said the company was reviewing surveillance tapes and talking to people who might have seen the pensioner.
Celebrity, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, said it had notified the British Embassy authorities, Portuguese maritime police, Bahamian maritime authorities, and the FBI.Celebrity, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises, said it had notified the British Embassy authorities, Portuguese maritime police, Bahamian maritime authorities, and the FBI.
A crew member raised the alarm two hours after the ship left port in Madeira, after observing that the man's cabin did not appear to have been occupied that day. A crew member raised the alarm two hours after the ship left port in Madeira, after observing that Mr Ewan's cabin did not appear to have been occupied that day.
"When security records showed he had not gone off the ship the captain was told," Ms Martenstein said."When security records showed he had not gone off the ship the captain was told," Ms Martenstein said.
Public announcementsPublic announcements
She said public announcements were made asking the passenger to identify himself to crew but when there was no response a detailed search of the liner's public areas and cabins began. She said public announcements were made asking Mr Ewan to identify himself to crew but when there was no response a detailed search of the liner's public areas and cabins began.
"We are trying to determine if anyone saw him," Ms Martenstein said."We are trying to determine if anyone saw him," Ms Martenstein said.
"Did he buy anything in the gift shop, or talk to anyone at dinner?"Did he buy anything in the gift shop, or talk to anyone at dinner?
"We're trying to put all of those bits of information together to find out where he might be or what might have happened.""We're trying to put all of those bits of information together to find out where he might be or what might have happened."
Maritime police in Gibraltar and Spain have also been alerted.Maritime police in Gibraltar and Spain have also been alerted.
The Foreign Office said it was in the process of informing the man's next of kin of his disappearance.