🔗 Share this article

An extensive 60-day journey through the Land Down Under has been cancelled days after the tragic passing of an senior female passenger who was left behind by the ship on a remote tropical isle.

The passenger had been walking on the tropical location with other travelers from the vessel, but separated from the party for a rest. The vessel sailed away leaving her and went back several hours later after the ship staff became aware the lady was not present.

An extensive hunt located her remains the following day.

Officials are investigating the tragedy, in coordination with police and the state coroner.

Head of the cruise operator announced that passengers and staff on the ship were informed that the rest of the voyage had been cancelled due to the "tragic passing and prior engine troubles".

In a statement, he added that passengers would be given a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to arrange the homeward trips of the individuals via private aircraft".

Officials also released an revised communication, and said they had "provided a directive to the Master" banning any further travelers from entering the vessel.

The official said that they would inspect the vessel in the port city upon its return.

Timeline of Events

The vessel originally sailed from Cairns on 24 October, and was only 48 hours into the expedition at the moment of the elderly woman's demise. The tropical location was the first stop on the voyage.

Travelers on board - who generally pay large sums of currency to take part in the voyage - were transported there for a day trip with the choice of walking or snorkeling.

Relatives Statement

The daughter of the victim said that her relatives was "shocked and distressed that the liner left Lizard Island after an planned tour without my mother".

In her statement, she described her mother as an "vigorous octogenarian" who was a member of a hiking group.

"According to scant details we have been provided, it seems that there was a failure of responsibility and common sense," she stated.

She further stated that she wished the inquiry would be able to pinpoint what "the company should have done that might have saved Mum's being".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a extremely warm afternoon, and mother took sick on the mountain ascent," she explained.

"They requested her to go back, unescorted. Then the vessel sailed away, seemingly without conducting a headcount.

"During some point in that process, or not long after, mother passed away, alone."

Operator Reaction

Via official communication, the Chief Executive verified that the operator was "working closely with officials to aid their examination".

He mentioned that the organization was "extremely apologetic that this has happened" and had provided its full support to the family.

Maritime Business Standards

The vessel caters for up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty personnel, according to official details. It was specially constructed to access distant areas of Australia's coast and is equipped with "tenders" - compact vessels used to ferry passengers on land visits.

Events like this are uncommon, and liners have systems to track which passengers are getting on or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Leaving covertly or [back] on the ship simply isn't an choice," a specialist remarked.

Vessel operators regard these processes with great importance and have "clever tech in place to prevent such events from happening," the specialist added.

"This is most likely a surprising - and tragic - one-off."