Sixteen men were booted off a cruise liner into the hands of central Queensland police after an overnight brawl at sea.
About 2000 passengers on P&O's Pacific Dawn were on the second-last night of a week-long Pacific cruise when a disturbance broke out in the early hours of Friday, police say.
It is believed the brawlers were aged in their 20s or 30s and some had been arguing over a female passenger.
It is understood no one was seriously injured in the fight, which was brought under control by the ship's security staff.
Police and customs officials removed the 16 men from the ship on Friday afternoon at Gladstone, where the ship was to refuel.
No charges have been laid.
The Pacific Dawn is due back in Brisbane on Saturday.
A spokesman for P&O Cruises said the ship has more than 20 security staff and was well prepared to manage the situation.
"Most passengers were unaware of the incident because they had already retired to their cabins for the night," spokesman Peter Taylor said in a statement.
"We are serious about a zero tolerance of poor behaviour on board our ships and worked with the local authorities to transfer the passengers off at the first opportunity."
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