Investigators Board Cruise Ship After Passenger's Tragic Death on Remote Island

Sat Nov 15 2025 01:53:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

An 80-year-old woman was left behind during a cruise excursion and later found dead, prompting an investigation involving maritime authorities.

The Coral Adventurer cruise ship has come under investigation after the tragic death of 80-year-old Suzanne Rees, who was left on a remote Australian island. Rees, who had separated from her group during a hike on Lizard Island, was discovered deceased following a search and rescue operation. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority and Queensland Police are looking into the circumstances surrounding her death and the cruise line's operations.

Investigators have boarded an Australian cruise ship more than 10 days after the death of an elderly female passenger who was left behind on a remote island.

Suzanne Rees, 80, had been hiking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers from the Coral Adventurer, but broke off from the group for a rest. The ship left without her, only returning several hours later when the crew realized Ms Rees was missing.

Officials from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) boarded the vessel on Wednesday morning local time.

Amsa, which is probing the incident alongside Queensland Police and the state coroner, told the BBC it could not comment on the investigation.

Cruise operator 'failed' woman who was left on island and died, family says

The 60-day cruise around Australia, which had cost guests tens of thousands of dollars, was cancelled due to Ms Rees' death as well as mechanical issues.

The Coral Adventurer had been expected to dock at Cairns – where its operator Coral Expeditions is based.

But a lack of available berths meant it instead dropped anchor a few kilometers north early on Tuesday evening, off the coast of Yorkey's Knob, where it remained on Wednesday morning.

The BBC understands only a skeleton crew were on board.

Tracking data shows the vessel initially left Cairns at around 07:30 local time on 24 October - after a delay of around a week because of mechanical issues.

Passengers aboard were transported by tenders to the secluded island; home to a luxury resort and a research station - for a day trip with the option of hiking or snorkeling.

Suzanne Rees' daughter, Katherine Rees, stated that her family was shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organized excursion without my mum.

She described her mother, who was from Sydney, as an active 80-year-old who was a member of a bushwalking group.

At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone, Ms Rees noted, expressing hope that the inquiry would help prevent future tragedies.

A search and rescue effort late on Saturday 25 October – the day she went missing – did not find any sign of Ms Rees. Her body was discovered the following day.

The chief executive of Coral Expeditions, Mark Fifield, confirmed the firm was working closely with police and was deeply sorry that this has occurred.