The Australian cruise ship Coral Adventurer has run aground off the coast of Papua New Guinea, an incident that comes as the vessel remains under investigation for the death of an elderly passenger left on a remote island just weeks earlier.
Grounding Incident and Passenger Safety
Early on Saturday morning, 27 December 2025, the Coral Adventurer struck a reef with 120 passengers on board. The ship's operator, Coral Expeditions, confirmed the grounding incident in coastal Papua New Guinea but stated that no one was injured.
A spokesperson for the company told The Guardian that an initial inspection indicated no damage to the vessel. The incident has been reported to authorities, and further official inspections of the hull and marine environment are underway as standard procedure. Passengers are reportedly staying in Papua New Guinea while efforts are made to re-float the ship.
Previous Tragedy Under Investigation
This grounding marks the ship's first voyage since it became the subject of a major investigation following the death of passenger Suzanne Rees, 80. The tragedy occurred on 25 October 2025, after Mrs Rees was left behind on Lizard Island during a hiking excursion.
While hiking with a group from the Coral Adventurer, Mrs Rees began feeling unwell and became separated. Believing she had returned to the ship alone, the other hikers went back to the vessel, which subsequently departed the island without her. The crew realised she was missing and returned to search, but she was found dead a day later.
Her daughter, Katherine Rees, said the family was "shocked and saddened" and that there appeared to have been a "failure of care and common sense." She expressed hope that a coronial inquiry would determine what actions could have saved her mother's life.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Company Response
Australian authorities have launched an investigation into the death. Under regulations set by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), commercial passenger vessel captains are required to maintain systems that account for every passenger at all times.
Following the October incident, Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield said the company offered its full support to the Rees family and cancelled the remainder of that voyage. The company has yet to comment publicly on the recent grounding incident.
The dual incidents place significant scrutiny on the cruise operator's safety protocols and emergency procedures, raising serious questions about passenger welfare and regulatory compliance in the expedition cruise sector.
