Cruise ship that abandoned elderly passenger on a remote island runs aground on first trip since woman's death
The Australian-owned expedition vessel was carrying 80 passengers and 43 crew members when the grounding occurred.
By KEVIN ADJEI-DARKO, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER
Published: 09:30 GMT, 29 December 2025 | Updated: 09:30 GMT, 29 December 2025
A cruise ship that abandoned an elderly passenger on a remote Australian island before she later died has run aground on a coral reef during its first voyage since the tragedy.
The Coral Adventurer struck a reef off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea on Saturday, around 18 miles from the city of Lae, just two months after 80-year-old Suzanne Rees was left behind on Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Australian-owned expedition vessel was carrying 80 passengers and 43 crew members when the grounding occurred.
No injuries were reported, and the ship's operator stated that an initial inspection indicated there was no damage to the hull, although further checks were ongoing.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority confirmed it was monitoring the situation but said it had not received a distress call from the vessel.
Authorities in Papua New Guinea said they were leading the response. The ship had already been under intense scrutiny following the death of Ms Rees in October.
She had been taking part in an organised shore excursion on Lizard Island when she became unwell during a hill climb on a day described by police as extremely hot.
According to her family, Ms Rees was asked to make her way back down alone and was not accompanied by the crew.
The Coral Adventurer, pictured, has run aground on its first trip since it abandoned an elderly woman on a remote island
Suzanne Rees, 80, died after she was left behind on Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef
The Coral Adventurer later departed the island at around 6.30pm local time without conducting a full passenger count, her daughter said.
It was more than five hours before the crew realised Ms Rees was missing.
The ship turned back toward the island, and a helicopter was dispatched to assist with the search while crew members scoured the area using torches overnight.
Her body was discovered at around 6am the following morning near one of the island's main walking paths.
One source told Australian media she may have fallen from a cliff. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.
Ms Rees's family said a 'failure of care and common sense' had led to her death, describing the incident as both preventable and devastating.
The cruise was just two days into a planned 60-day voyage when the incident occurred.
The remainder of the journey was cancelled, and full refunds were issued to passengers.
Ms Rees' daughter, Katherine, said she was 'shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organised excursion without my mum, Suzanne.'