🔗 Share this article

One two-month cruise around Australia has been cancelled in the wake of the tragic passing of an older female passenger who was left behind by the ship on a distant tropical isle.

The elderly woman had been trekking on the remote island with shipmates from the cruise ship, but parted ways from the party for a break. The ship left without her and returned later that day after the crew became aware the passenger was missing.

A major search operation located her body the next day.

Officials are examining the tragedy, together with investigators and the official investigator.

Head of the voyage organizer said that guests and personnel on the vessel were told that the continuation of the cruise had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and earlier mechanical issues".

In a statement, he added that travelers would be provided a total repayment, and said the organization was working "to coordinate the travel back of the individuals via specially arranged planes".

Authorities also published an latest communication, and said they had "issued a order to the Master" preventing any new passengers from getting on the vessel.

The official said that they would visit the ship in Cairns upon its coming back.

Chronology of Incidents

The liner originally sailed from the coastal city on October 24th, and was only 48 hours into the voyage at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. The tropical location was the opening port on the journey.

Guests on the ship - who generally pay large sums of currency to join the expedition - were transported there for a daily excursion with the choice of trekking or snorkeling.

Next of Kin Response

The child of the deceased woman said that her loved ones was "surprised and grieved that the vessel left Lizard Island after an scheduled excursion without my mother".

Via her announcement, she characterized her mother as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a member of a walking organization.

"According to scant information we have been provided, it appears that there was a lapse of responsibility and common sense," she stated.

She added that she hoped the examination would be able to identify what "the operator should have done that might have saved Mother's life".

"Based on information from the police that it was a exceptionally warm period, and mum fell ill on the hill climb," she revealed.

"Officials suggested her to go back, unescorted. Then the boat left, seemingly without performing a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or soon after, mother succumbed, by herself."

Operator Reaction

In a statement, the Head verified that the company was "cooperating fully with authorities to assist their examination".

He stated that the organization was "deeply sorry that this has occurred" and had extended its total backing to the family.

Maritime Business Procedures

The ship caters for up to 120 passengers with 46 crew, according to company information. It was specifically designed to enter isolated locations of Australia's coastline and is equipped with "tenders" - minor craft used to transport passengers on shore trips.

Incidents of this nature are rare, and liners have systems to track which individuals are getting on or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] aboard simply isn't an choice," a specialist commented.

Shipping companies consider these procedures extremely carefully and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such occurrences from occurring," the expert further stated.

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