A 71 year old man from the United Kingdom has been charged after an alleged assault on a cruise ship linked to Australia with the matter set to be mentioned in a Sydney court later this month.
The Australian Federal Police said the man was charged on 31 January 2026 after the vessel returned to port in Sydney.
The alleged incident was reported to have occurred on 28 January while the ship was sailing outside Australia’s outer adjacent area under the Crimes at Sea framework.
Police said he has been charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of five year imprisonment.
The man is scheduled to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on 18 February 2026.
“The consequences of alleged criminal behavior remain even when an offense occurs at sea,” stated Trevor Robinson, AFP Detective acting Superintendent.
Federal police did not name the man, the cruise ship or the person alleged to have been assaulted and the charge has not been tested in court.
