The daughter of a woman who tragically died after being left behind by a cruise ship on a remote Australian island has voiced her distress and anger, calling the operator’s actions a “failure of care and common sense.” Suzanne Rees, 80, was discovered deceased by rescue workers on Lizard Island, a secluded gem in the Great Barrier Reef, on Sunday. The day before, she had been exploring the island with fellow passengers but was not accounted for when the cruise ship, the Coral Adventurer, departed hours later.
Katherine Rees, Suzanne’s daughter, shared her profound shock and sadness at the circumstances, stating, “From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense.” She described her mother as a vibrant, active individual, a keen gardener and a regular hiker, who was in good health prior to the ill-fated excursion.
Suzanne Rees, a resident of New South Wales, had embarked on the first leg of a 60-day circumnavigation of Australia from Cairns. Passengers aboard the Coral Adventurer, which can accommodate up to 120 guests and 46 crew members, paid significant sums for the journey. The cruise included a day trip to Lizard Island, offering activities like hiking and snorkelling.
According to Katherine, her mother had joined a hiking group to the island’s highest point, Cook’s Look. However, she reportedly paused her ascent due to the intense heat and needing to rest, venturing off alone. “We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and mum fell ill on the hill climb,” Katherine explained. “She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone.”
Katherine hopes that a forthcoming coronial inquiry will thoroughly investigate the incident and determine what actions the cruise company could have taken to prevent the tragic loss of her mother’s life.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) has confirmed it is investigating the circumstances surrounding Suzanne Rees’ death. Officials are expected to meet with the ship’s crew upon its arrival in Darwin later this week to gather more information.
A spokesperson for Coral Expeditions expressed deep sorrow over the death and pledged full support to the Rees family. “We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation. We are unable to comment further while this process is under way,” said chief executive Mark Fifield.
Industry experts note that such incidents are exceedingly rare. Harriet Mallinson, cruise editor for Sailawaze, highlighted that cruise ships typically employ sophisticated systems to meticulously track passenger movements, making it highly unlikely for someone to be left behind unnoticed. “Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn’t an option,” she commented, suggesting this tragic event was likely an isolated and deeply unfortunate occurrence.