Cruise Ship Strikes Reef After Passenger Left on Island

A cruise ship has encountered a serious incident off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The Coral Adventurer ran aground on its first voyage since the tragic death of an elderly passenger. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding safety protocols and passenger care.

Cruise Ship Grounds After Passenger Incident

The Coral Adventurer experienced a “grounding incident” on Saturday. This occurred approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) from Lae, a major city in Papua New Guinea. According to a spokesperson, all 80 passengers and 43 crew members onboard are safe, and initial inspections showed no hull damage. However, further evaluations are scheduled for Sunday.

Background of the Recent Death

The incident follows a prior investigation into the death of 80-year-old Suzanne Rees. She tragically lost her life on October 26 after being left behind on Lizard Island. Ms. Rees was part of a hiking group but separated for a rest. The Coral Adventurer departed after crew members failed to realize she was missing. A search operation located her body the following day.

The ship had been two days into a 60-day journey when this incident occurred. Following Ms. Rees’s death, the remaining part of the cruise was canceled, and full refunds were issued to all travelers. Mark Fifield, the CEO of Coral Expeditions, expressed deep sorrow over the incident and stated the company is cooperating with the ongoing investigations.

Current Situation and Investigation

• Current voyage duration: 12 days, set to conclude on December 30.
• Passenger and crew safety confirmed post-grounding incident.
• Joint investigation by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Queensland Police ongoing.

AMSA is monitoring the situation and has not received a distress signal from the Coral Adventurer. They also noted that no decisions about the cruise’s continuation have been finalized yet.

The fallout from these incidents underscores the critical importance of maritime safety and the responsibility cruise operators have towards their guests.