🔗 Share this article

An extensive extended cruise around Australia has been cancelled following the fatal incident of an elderly woman who was abandoned by the ship on a remote island.

Suzanne Rees had been hiking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers from the cruise ship, but separated from the excursion for a break. The liner left without her and came back later that day after the ship staff realised the woman was unaccounted for.

An extensive search operation discovered her body the following day.

Investigative bodies are examining the event, alongside police and the state coroner.

Head of the cruise operator announced that guests and personnel on the vessel were notified that the continuation of the journey had been cancelled due to the "unfortunate death and previous mechanical issues".

In a statement, he further stated that travelers would be issued a total repayment, and said the company was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the individuals via chartered flights".

Regulatory bodies also issued an revised statement, and said they had "issued a order to the Master" preventing any further travelers from entering the ship.

The representative said that they would inspect the vessel in the Australian city upon its arrival.

Timeline of Incidents

The liner originally sailed from the coastal city on October 24th, and was just two days into the voyage at the moment of the senior passenger's passing. The remote island was the initial destination on the journey.

Guests on the vessel - who typically pay tens of thousands of dollars to participate in the voyage - were ferried there for a shore visit with the possibility of walking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Statement

The daughter of the victim said that her family was "stunned and saddened that the ship left the location after an scheduled excursion without my mother".

Through her comments, she portrayed her mother as an "active elderly person" who was a affiliate of a hiking club.

"According to scant information we have been informed, it appears that there was a failure of attention and basic judgment," she mentioned.

She continued that she hoped the inquiry would be able to identify what "the operator should have done that might have saved Mother's life".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother fell ill on the hill climb," she stated.

"Officials suggested her to return, unescorted. Then the boat sailed away, seemingly without doing a headcount.

"During some point in that chain of events, or not long after, mother died, without company."

Company Position

Via official communication, the Head verified that the operator was "cooperating fully with investigators to assist their inquiry".

He said that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has transpired" and had extended its total backing to the loved ones.

Cruise Industry Practices

The vessel caters for up to one hundred twenty guests with forty-six crew, according to official information. It was specially constructed to enter remote areas of Australia's coast and is fitted with "tenders" - small boats used to transport passengers on land visits.

Events like this are uncommon, and passenger vessels have protocols to document which passengers are getting on or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn't an choice," one expert commented.

Shipping companies take these processes with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to stop such events from happening," the expert continued.

"This seems to be probably a stunning - and unfortunate - isolated incident."