🔗 Share this article

An extensive 60-day journey circling Australia was terminated days after the death 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 vessel, but parted ways from the group for a break. The vessel sailed away leaving her and went back later that day after the personnel discovered the lady was unaccounted for.

A large-scale search operation located her person the following day.

Authorities are investigating the incident, alongside police and the official investigator.

Head of the voyage organizer said that passengers and staff on the vessel were notified that the continuation of the cruise had been terminated due to the "tragic passing and prior technical problems".

Through an announcement, he further stated that guests would be issued a full refund, and said the organization was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the passengers via private aircraft".

Regulatory bodies also released an revised statement, and said they had "provided a directive to the Commander" preventing any new passengers from entering the ship.

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

Timeline of Events

The liner first departed the coastal city on 24 October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the time of the elderly woman's demise. The tropical location was the initial destination on the journey.

Travelers on board - who usually pay substantial amounts of currency to take part in the voyage - were ferried there for a shore visit with the option of walking or snorkeling.

Family Reaction

The offspring of the victim said that her family was "shocked and grieved that the vessel left the island after an organised outing without my mother".

Through her comments, she portrayed her mum as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a member of a bushwalking organization.

"According to scant information we have been told, it appears that there was a breakdown of responsibility and basic judgment," she mentioned.

She added that she hoped the inquiry would be able to determine what "the operator should have done that might have saved Her life".

"Based on information from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm period, and mother became unwell on the mountain ascent," she revealed.

"She was asked her to return, unescorted. Then the boat sailed away, apparently without performing a headcount.

"At some stage in that chain of events, or shortly after, she died, by herself."

Company Position

In a statement, the Head verified that the company was "collaborating extensively with officials to assist their examination".

He mentioned that the company was "extremely apologetic that this has transpired" and had offered its full support to the relatives.

Maritime Business Procedures

The liner caters for up to 120 passengers with forty-six staff, according to corporate details. It was specially constructed to access remote areas of the Australian coast and is outfitted with "auxiliary vessels" - minor craft used to ferry travelers on shore trips.

Events such as this are uncommon, and cruise ships have protocols to track which individuals are getting on or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an option," one expert remarked.

Shipping companies regard these processes very seriously and have "sophisticated systems in place to prevent such incidents from happening," the expert further stated.

"This is probably a stunning - and sad - single occurrence."