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Cruise operator cancels 60-day voyage after passenger left behind dies on remote island
A 60-day cruise around Australia was abruptly terminated Saturday, days after an 80-year-old passenger died on a remote island when the ship departed without her, officials confirmed. Suzanne Rees, described by her family as an active hiker, was left behind on Lizard Island during an organized excursion before her body was discovered the following day.
Incident timeline and investigation
The Coral Adventurer, operated by Coral Expeditions, had anchored at Lizard Island-its first stop-on October 26, two days into the voyage. Passengers, who pay tens of thousands of dollars for the cruise, disembarked for hiking or snorkeling. Rees, hiking with the group, paused to rest and was unintentionally left behind when the ship departed.
The crew realized she was missing hours later and returned, but a major search operation located her body the next day. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa), Queensland Police, and the state coroner are now investigating. Amsa issued a notice prohibiting new passengers from boarding the vessel, with officials set to inspect it upon its return to Cairns.
Family's grief and questions over safety protocols
Suzanne Rees' daughter, Katherine Rees, expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, calling it a "failure of care and common sense." She told reporters Thursday that her mother, a member of a bushwalking group, had been asked to descend the trail unescorted on a "very hot day" before the ship left without a passenger count.
"At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone," Katherine Rees said, adding that the family hopes the coroner's inquiry will reveal "what the company should have done that might have saved mum's life."
Cruise operator's response and passenger refunds
Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions, announced the cancellation of the remaining voyage on Saturday, citing the "tragic passing of Suzanne Rees and previous mechanical issues." Passengers were notified Wednesday and will receive full refunds, with the company coordinating chartered flights for their return. Fifield reiterated the company's cooperation with authorities and extended condolences to the Rees family.
The Coral Adventurer, designed for remote coastal access with a capacity of 120 passengers and 46 crew, uses small "tender" boats for excursions. Industry experts note such incidents are rare, as cruise lines typically employ strict passenger-tracking systems, including technology to prevent embarkation errors.
Industry perspective on safety measures
Harriet Mallinson, cruise editor at travel site Sailawaze, told the BBC that modern cruise ships use "clever tech" to monitor passenger movements, making incidents like this "most likely a shocking-and tragic-one-off." She emphasized that protocols to prevent unauthorized disembarkations are rigorously enforced.
