A major search has been launched for a missing passenger after he fell from a cruise ship off the coast of Scotland. 

The coastguard said a man was reported overboard from the Ambassador cruise liner Ambition as it was sailing around 36 nautical miles east of Arbroath, in Angus, at around 8.35am on Friday.

A large search operation is now underway involving a helicopter and aeroplane as well as RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Dundee, Arbroath and St Andrews.

A commercial search-and-rescue helicopter and several nearby vessels are also assisting with searches.

Ambassador Cruise Line said the ship was en route from Lerwick in the Shetland Islands to Dundee when it was found that a guest was missing.

The vessel has now docked in Dundee and guests were allowed to disembark after a thorough ship-wide search was carried out.

An Ambassador Cruise Line spokesperson said: ‘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 (MRCC), 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.

Pictured: The Ambassador cruise liner Ambition where a man was reported overboard this morning. A major search operation has now been launched in an attempt to find the missing passenger 

‘As a result of this development, today’s turnaround operation in Dundee was slightly delayed.

‘However, guests due to travel on board Ambition should make their way to the port as per their embarkation schedule.’

Police Scotland said they were alerted to the incident on Friday morning.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: ‘A search-and-rescue operation is currently being carried out by HM Coastguard, but the man remains missing.

‘His next of kin is aware.’