A cruise ship has run aground in Papua New Guinea during its first voyage after the death of an elderly passenger who was left behind on a remote Australian island. All passengers and crew are reported safe, with initial inspections showing no hull damage.
The incident occurred on Saturday off the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea, approximately 30 kilometers from the city of Lae. The Coral Adventurer, operated by Coral Expeditions, suffered a grounding incident while on a 12-day voyage that was scheduled to conclude on December 30. According to the ship’s spokesperson, there were 80 passengers and 43 crew members aboard at the time. Initial assessments have not revealed any damage to the hull, but further inspections are planned for Sunday to ensure the vessel’s seaworthiness.
This grounding comes amid an ongoing investigation into the death of Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old passenger who was found dead on Lizard Island on October 26. Ms. Rees had been hiking with other passengers but separated from the group to rest, and the ship departed without her, returning hours later after realizing she was missing. A major search operation located her body the following day, highlighting a tragic lapse in passenger oversight.
The tragic event occurred just two days into a 60-day voyage, prompting the cancellation of the remainder of the cruise with full refunds offered to all passengers. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Queensland Police are jointly investigating Ms. Rees’s death, with the cruise operator cooperating fully. Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions, expressed deep sorrow over the incidents and offered full support to the Rees family.
In response to the grounding, AMSA stated that it had not received a distress call from the Coral Adventurer and is monitoring the situation, ready to support Papua New Guinean authorities if necessary. No decisions have been made regarding the continuation of the current voyage, which adds uncertainty for the passengers and crew involved.
The series of events has raised concerns about safety protocols in the cruise industry, particularly regarding passenger management during shore excursions. The Coral Adventurer’s return to service so soon after the fatal incident has drawn scrutiny to operational practices and regulatory oversight.
As inspections proceed, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of all onboard and addressing the broader implications for cruise travel in the region. The outcomes of the investigations may lead to enhanced regulations and procedures to prevent similar tragedies in the future, potentially impacting industry standards globally.
