Daughter Blames Australia Cruise Operator for Mother’s Island Death
The tragic death of an 80-year-old woman, Suzanne Rees, has raised serious concerns about the operational procedures of a cruise line in Australia. Her body was discovered on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef on Sunday, after she failed to board the cruise ship, Coral Adventurer, which had departed without her.
Daughter’s Accusations Against Cruise Operator
Katherine Rees, Suzanne’s daughter, expressed her devastation and accused the cruise operator of a “failure of care and common sense.” During an outing on the island, her mother had separated from a group hike that led to the island’s peak, Cook’s Look. Reports suggest Suzanne struggled during the hike and was advised to descend alone due to the heat.
Timeline of Events
- Location: Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef
- Date of Incident: Saturday before the discovery on Sunday
- Cruise Duration: A 60-day journey around Australia, leaving Cairns earlier in the week
- Emergency Alert: Ship’s captain notified authorities around 21:00 local time on Saturday
When the Coral Adventurer departed, Suzanne had already fallen ill and was left unattended. Katherine stated that her mother died alone after being abandoned on the island.
Investigations Underway
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Suzanne’s death. AMSA officials plan to meet with the Coral Adventurer’s crew once the ship arrives in Darwin later this week.
Response from Coral Expeditions
Mark Fifield, CEO of Coral Expeditions, expressed condolences and stated the company is cooperating with authorities. He noted that they are offering support to the grieving family while the investigation is ongoing.
Safe Cruise Practices
The Coral Adventurer is designed to accommodate 120 guests and has a crew of 46. This vessel is equipped with “tenders,” small boats intended for passenger excursions. Experts assert that cruise lines generally have robust systems in place to track passengers during excursions, which makes such incidents rare. Harriet Mallinson, a cruise editor, highlighted that cruise protocols are designed to prevent oversights in passenger counts.
Katherine Rees hopes that a coronial inquiry will reveal what went wrong and what protocols could have potentially saved her mother’s life. The tragic outcome has sparked discussions about safety procedures in the cruise industry, emphasizing the importance of passenger monitoring during excursions.
