🔗 Share this article

One 60-day journey through the Land Down Under is being halted in the wake of the death of an senior woman who was stranded by the ship on a remote coastal location.

Suzanne Rees had been walking on the tropical location with other travelers from the vessel, but parted ways from the group for a pause. The vessel left without her and went back later that day after the personnel realised the passenger was not present.

A major rescue mission found her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are investigating the tragedy, together with investigators and the medical examiner.

Chief Executive of the cruise operator stated that guests and staff on the ship were informed that the rest of the cruise had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and prior mechanical issues".

In a statement, he added that guests would be issued a complete reimbursement, and said the organization was working "to coordinate the travel back of the travelers via specially arranged planes".

Officials also issued an latest statement, and said they had "provided a directive to the Commander" banning any additional guests from boarding the ship.

The official said that they would visit the vessel in the port city upon its arrival.

Chronology of Incidents

The liner first departed the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was just two days into the voyage at the moment of the elderly woman's death. Lizard Island was the opening port on the itinerary.

Travelers on board - who generally pay substantial amounts of dollars to participate in the expedition - were ferried there for a day trip with the choice of hiking or snorkelling.

Family Statement

The child of the victim said that her loved ones was "surprised and saddened that the liner left the island after an scheduled outing without my mum".

In her statement, she described her parent as an "vigorous octogenarian" who was a participant of a walking organization.

"According to scant information we have been informed, it seems that there was a breakdown of care and common sense," she stated.

She continued that she desired the investigation would be able to identify what "the operator should have undertaken that might have protected Her life".

"According to reports from the police that it was a exceptionally warm period, and she fell ill on the hill climb," she stated.

"She was asked her to go back, unescorted. Then the ship sailed away, apparently without conducting a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that process, or shortly after, mum passed away, alone."

Company Position

Through an announcement, the CEO verified that the company was "working closely with authorities to aid their investigation".

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

Cruise Industry Standards

The vessel serves up to a hundred twenty passengers with 46 staff, according to official details. It was specifically designed to reach remote areas of the Australian coastline and is equipped with "tenders" - minor craft used to transport individuals on day excursions.

Incidents like this are uncommon, and cruise ships have systems to document which passengers are getting on or leaving, according to maritime specialists.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] on the ship simply isn't an option," one expert remarked.

Vessel operators consider these processes with great importance and have "sophisticated systems in place to stop such occurrences from occurring," the expert continued.

"This appears to be presumably a surprising - and sad - single occurrence."