All passengers aboard the luxury cruise ship Coral Adventurer have been disembarked and flown home after the death of 80-year-old passenger Suzanne Rees on Lizard Island. The vessel is now sailing to Cairns, where the investigation into her death will continue.
Rees, who was travelling on a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia, went missing after leaving a group hike on Lizard Island on 25 October. Her daughter, Katherine Rees, said her mother felt ill and was asked to head down unescorted but never made it back to the ship.
The Coral Adventurer departed Lizard Island at 3.40pm, five hours before authorities were alerted to her disappearance. A search and rescue operation was launched, but Rees was later found deceased. Queensland police have described the death as non-suspicious, and a coronial investigation will take place.
Chief executive of Coral Expeditions, Mark Fifield, said the company prides itself on delivering high-quality experiences but acknowledged it could not fulfil that promise given the circumstances. Passengers have been offered full refunds, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority has prohibited any new passengers from boarding.
The ship will be met by AMSA officials when it docks in Cairns, as investigations continue into why Rees was not accounted for during boarding.
