The body of a young woman who fell overboard from a cruise ship last night has been found off South Australia's south-east coast, authorities say.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said a plane and two rescue helicopters conducted the search throughout the night about 45km off the coast of Cape Jaffa.
The body of a 23-year-old woman was found by one of the rescue helicopters on Wednesday morning at around 7am and was taken to the Mount Gambier hospital for identification.
The woman was on the Pacific Explorer cruise ship off the coast of Cape Jaffa, in South Australia's south-east.
Cruise company Carnival Australia had previously said the young woman, who was travelling with a family member, fell overboard around 11:30pm Tuesday night.
The P&O cruise ship left Melbourne on Tuesday and had been heading for Kangaroo Island.
It had remained off the coast of Cape Jaffa to assist with the search.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority's duty manager Dan Gillis said the body was found within a search area of 55 square nautical miles, about 45 kilometres west of Cape Jaffa.
Mr Gillis said weather conditions overnight were "extremely poor".
"There was about 25 knots of wind, around about 4 metre swells running — it was very poor search conditions," he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Mr Gillis said the woman's body was being taken back to Adelaide by helicopter.
Distressing time for other passengers
Deb Vucetic, 61, a passenger on board the ship travelling with her sister, said she had "quite a sickening feeling" when she heard late Tuesday night that someone had fallen into the rough sea.
"The boat was literally swaying from side to side," she said.
"It is so rough and all my sister and I could think is 'no way anyone could survive that'."
It was Ms Vucetic's first — and probably last — cruise.
"I won't be going on another cruise ever, maybe," she said.
"My sister hardly slept last night; she was actually out on the deck reading, having a bit of a rest.
"She couldn't sleep just thinking of the girl in the water."
Support for family member on board
In a statement, Carnival Australia thanked "all involved who supported this distressing and challenging search operation".
"This tragic discovery comes after an overnight search and rescue operation," the spokesperson said.
"We continue to provide care and assistance to the family member this guest was travelling with and extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones."
The spokesperson said the remaining guests and crew were "deeply impacted".
"Relevant authorities have been advised and we will continue to work with them and provide any assistance required," the spokesperson said.
SA Police said the ship was now returning to Port Melbourne and Victoria Police would be conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
