Alarm raised three hours after ship docked POLICE hold grave fears for a couple who fell from the deck of a cruise ship off the mid-north coast of NSW, 12 hours before they were reported missing. The 30-year-old man and 26-year-old woman were travelling with friends and family on board the Carnival Spirit, and apparently fell overboard at about 9pm on Wednesday, according to the ship's CCTV footage. NSW Police Marine Area Commander Mark Hutchings said the images indicated the pair went overboard from a deck about halfway up the ship's side, but added it was too early to say whether they jumped or fell overboard. The alarm was only raised yesterday morning - three hours after the ship docked at Sydney's Circular Quay - when the couple's luggage was unclaimed. Police conducted a thorough search of the ship, but the pair was not located. Soon after, police and Australian Search and Rescue deployed aircraft and vessels about 120km off the coast near Forster, on the mid-north coast. A police spokesman said a navy vessel was also helping with the search. A statement from Carnival Cruise Lines said it was assisting the police with their investigation.