🔗 Share this article

A two-month voyage circling the Australian Coast was terminated in the wake of the tragic passing of an older woman who was abandoned by the ship on a isolated tropical isle.

Suzanne Rees had been walking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers from the vessel, but broke off from the excursion for a rest. The liner left without her and went back later that day after the ship staff became aware the passenger was not present.

A large-scale hunt found her body the next day.

Investigative bodies are looking into the event, alongside investigators and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the cruise operator announced that travelers and personnel on the vessel were informed that the rest of the journey had been terminated due to the "sad loss and prior mechanical issues".

Through an announcement, he mentioned that guests would be given a complete reimbursement, and said the organization was working "to organize the homeward trips of the individuals via specially arranged planes".

Officials also released an revised announcement, and said they had "issued a order to the Captain" banning any new passengers from boarding the liner.

The representative said that they would attend the liner in Cairns upon its coming back.

Chronology of Incidents

The ship originally sailed from the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the moment of the senior passenger's demise. The tropical location was the initial destination on the journey.

Guests on board - who typically pay substantial amounts of money to take part in the voyage - were taken there for a day trip with the possibility of trekking or underwater exploration.

Relatives Statement

The daughter of the deceased woman said that her relatives was "surprised and grieved that the liner left the location after an planned outing without my parent".

In her statement, she characterized her mother as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a member of a bushwalking club.

"Based on limited information we have been told, it appears that there was a failure of care and basic judgment," she said.

She further stated that she wished the inquiry would be able to determine what "the organization should have done that might have preserved Mother's life".

"Based on information from the police that it was a very hot period, and she fell ill on the mountain ascent," she explained.

"They requested her to return, unescorted. Then the vessel departed, reportedly without conducting a headcount.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or not long after, mum succumbed, by herself."

Operator Reaction

Via official communication, the Head verified that the operator was "collaborating extensively with investigators to support their investigation".

He said that the company was "deeply sorry that this has transpired" and had extended its full support to the family.

Shipping Sector Procedures

The vessel caters for up to one hundred twenty passengers with forty-six staff, according to company information. It was purpose-built to access distant locations of the nation's coastline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - small boats used to ferry travelers on day excursions.

Incidents such as this are infrequent, and cruise ships have procedures to track which travelers are embarking or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Leaving covertly or [back] aboard just isn't an option," one expert remarked.

Cruise lines take these processes very seriously and have "sophisticated systems in place to avoid such occurrences from occurring," the specialist added.

"This appears to be most likely a stunning - and tragic - single occurrence."