All passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship Coral Adventurer have been disembarked following the death of 80-year-old passenger Suzanne Rees, who was left alone on Lizard Island. The vessel is now sailing to Cairns, where an investigation into the incident will continue.
The Coral Adventurer, operated by Coral Expeditions, had been on a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia. It departed Lizard Island on 25 October without Rees, who had felt ill and was asked to head down unescorted from a planned hike. Authorities were not alerted until five hours later, prompting a search-and-rescue operation.
Rees' daughter, Katherine Rees, expressed the family's shock and sadness that the ship left without her mother. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) has issued a notice prohibiting the embarkation of new passengers and will meet the ship in Cairns to investigate why Rees was not accounted for during boarding.
Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield stated that the company could no longer deliver its promised high-quality experience given the circumstances. Passengers were informed on Wednesday that the remainder of the voyage was cancelled and that they would receive full refunds. The company has worked to coordinate return flights for passengers and crew.
Amsa and Fifield have offered condolences to Rees' family. Queensland police have deemed the death non-suspicious, and it will be investigated by the coroner.
