The remainder of the Coral Adventurer’s inaugural 60-day voyage around Australia was cut short after an elderly passenger was mistakenly left behind on a remote island, where she later died.
Coral Expeditions, the company that owns the ship, told guests and crew members on Oct. 29 that the rest of the trip had been canceled due to the “tragic passing of Suzanne Rees and previous mechanical issues,” USA Today reported. CEO Mark Fifield also noted that all passengers would receive full refunds and that the company was coordinating their return trips by chartered flight.’
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“The Coral team prides itself on delivering high quality experiences to our guests,” Fifield said. “It was increasingly apparent given the circumstances of the last week that we could not deliver on this promise.”
The Coral Adventurer had only just begun its two-month circumnavigation of Australia when Rees was reported missing the night of Oct. 25. Earlier in day, the vessel docked at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, a resort destination with a nature preserve some 20 miles off the Queensland coast.
Rees had been enjoying a guided hike on Cook’s Look peak there with other passengers, but at some point became separated from the group.
Queensland Police confirmed the woman’s body was found early the next morning during a subsequent search of the island. They described her death as “sudden and non-suspicious,” but did not provide further details, including the cause.
Her family said they were told she felt unwell and turned back without anyone to assist her.
Sources told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the Coral Adventurer also suffered engine issues ahead of its departure. It was supposed to take off from Cairns on October 17, but it did not leave until a week later.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it is investigating the matter, including “the circumstances surrounding why the passenger may not have been accounted for” amid the boarding process.





