All passengers aboard the Coral Adventurer have been flown home after the luxury cruise ship left 80-year-old Suzanne Rees on Lizard Island, where she later died. The vessel is now sailing for Cairns as investigations into the incident continue.
Rees fell ill during a planned hike on 25 October and was asked to descend unescorted. She never made it back to the ship, which departed at 3.40pm. It took five hours for authorities to be alerted, prompting a search-and-rescue operation.
Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield said the company could no longer deliver on its promise of “high-quality experiences” given the circumstances. He announced a full refund for passengers and said the remainder of the voyage had been cancelled.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued a notice prohibiting new passengers from boarding and is investigating why Rees was not accounted for during boarding. Queensland police described the death as “non-suspicious” and said it would be referred to the coroner.
Rees’s daughter, Katherine, expressed shock and sadness that the ship left without her mother. The family has received condolences from the cruise line and authorities.
