Search underway for missing cruise ship passenger last reported hiking on Mount Roberts

Photos of Marites Buenafe, 62, provided by the Juneau Police Department after she was reported missing while hiking on Mount Roberts on Tuesday. (Juneau Police Department)

A search-and-rescue is underway for a cruise ship passenger who told her family Tuesday morning she was going hiking on Mount Roberts, but did not return to the ship that afternoon as scheduled.

Marites Buenafe, 62, a passenger aboard the Norwegian Bliss, told her family about her hiking plans at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to a bulletin issued at midday Wednesday by the Juneau Police Department.

"(She said) she was getting off the ship to take the tram up the mountain and continue hiking from there," the bulletin states. "It was reported that she was hiking alone. Buenafe did not return to the cruise ship prior to its departure at 1:30 PM that same day."

Buenes is described as 5'1" tall and about 110 pounds. She has short black hair and brown eyes.

The search-and-rescue operation was initiated by the Alaska State Troopers, with Juneau Mountain Rescue and other officials involved. Anyone with information about Buenes is asked to call the Troopers at (907) 262-4453 and reference case number AK25063914.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.

An overdue hiker notice for Marites Buenafe distributed by the Juneau Police Department and other agencies.