🔗 Share this article

A 60-day cruise around Australia has been cancelled following the tragic passing of an older female passenger who was stranded by the vessel on a remote coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been trekking on the tropical location with shipmates from the vessel, but broke off from the group for a pause. The ship left without her and came back later that day after the ship staff discovered the woman was not present.

A large-scale rescue mission located her body the next day.

Officials are examining the event, together with police and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company said that passengers and staff on the ship were notified that the continuation of the journey had been called off due to the "tragic passing and previous technical problems".

In a statement, he further stated that guests would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the organization was working "to arrange the travel back of the passengers via chartered flights".

Authorities also published an revised communication, and said they had "delivered a order to the Commander" preventing any new passengers from getting on the ship.

The official said that they would inspect the ship in the Australian city upon its return.

Chronology of Incidents

The liner initially left the Australian port on 24 October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the moment of the 80-year-old's passing. The remote island was the opening port on the voyage.

Guests on the vessel - who generally pay tens of thousands of dollars to join the expedition - were taken there for a daily excursion with the possibility of trekking or snorkeling.

Family Reaction

The child of the deceased woman said that her family was "shocked and distressed that the liner left Lizard Island after an planned outing without my mum".

Through her comments, she characterized her mother as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a participant of a walking organization.

"According to scant information we have been provided, it seems that there was a breakdown of attention and common sense," she mentioned.

She further stated that she hoped the inquiry would be able to determine what "the organization should have performed that might have saved Mum's life".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a very hot day, and mother became unwell on the uphill trek," she revealed.

"She was asked her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the vessel sailed away, seemingly without conducting a roll call.

"At a certain moment in that process, or not long after, mother died, by herself."

Company Response

Via official communication, the CEO verified that the company was "collaborating extensively with investigators to aid their examination".

He said that the organization was "deeply sorry that this has happened" and had provided its full support to the loved ones.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The ship serves up to 120 travelers with nearly fifty staff, according to corporate information. It was specifically designed to enter isolated areas of the Australian shoreline and is equipped with "small boats" - compact vessels used to ferry individuals on day excursions.

Occurrences like this are infrequent, and cruise ships have procedures to document which travelers are embarking or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an option," an authority commented.

Shipping companies regard these methods with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such occurrences from occurring," the expert added.

"This is most likely a shocking - and sad - one-off."