Cruise Ship Departed Without Doing a Passenger Count, Family Claims After Mom’s Death

What began as a scenic shore excursion ended in tragedy on Lizard Island, a remote and beautiful part of the Great Barrier Reef. Suzanne Rees, 80, from New South Wales, had joined fellow passengers from the Coral Adventurer for a guided hike to Cook’s Look, the island’s highest point.

The Coral Adventurer was on the first leg of a 60-day voyage circumnavigating Australia. According to reports, the vessel departed at sunset after the hike, unaware that one of its guests had not returned. Several hours later, crew members realised Ms Rees was missing.

The ship immediately turned back to Lizard Island, where a large-scale search began involving the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Queensland Police, and helicopters sweeping the island through the night. Her body was found the following morning.

Family’s Devastating Account

For Suzanne’s daughter, Katherine Rees, the news was almost impossible to believe. She says she was shocked and heartbroken to learn that the Coral Adventurer had departed without her mother on board.

“From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense,” Katherine said. She described her mother as healthy, active, and independent, a woman who loved gardening and hiking.

According to Katherine, police told the family that it had been a hot day on the island when her mother began to feel unwell during the climb. Suzanne was reportedly asked to return to the ship on her own. “Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count,” Katherine said. “At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, M0m died, alone.”

The family is now calling for a full investigation, hoping that a coronial inquiry will reveal what went wrong and what should have been done differently to save her life.

What Happened on the Island

According to early reports, Suzanne was part of a small group that set off on a guided hike to Cook’s Look, a challenging climb known for its steep path and sweeping views of the Great Barrier Reef. Partway through the trek, she began to feel unwell in the afternoon heat.

Witnesses say she was advised to head back toward the shore while the rest of the group continued. However, she was allowed to walk back alone. What happened after that remains unclear.

Sometime later, the Coral Adventurer departed from Lizard Island, apparently unaware that one of its passengers had not returned. It was only hours later, once the ship was already at sea, that the crew realised Suzanne was missing. The vessel immediately turned back toward the island and alerted authorities.

Search Efforts and Discovery

Once the alarm was raised, the Coral Adventurer returned to Lizard Island and a major search effort began. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority coordinated the response, assisted by Queensland Police and local rescue teams. Helicopters were deployed to sweep the island with spotlights through the night, while crew and volunteers searched on foot.

Witness Traci Ayris, who was sailing nearby, said she saw search helicopters circling overhead. “We knew she was dead because they called everyone back from the search immediately,” she told ABC News. “No one went to the spot that the chopper was hovering over until later that day when the police arrived.”

Suzanne’s body was found the following morning. Witnesses described the atmosphere as deeply somber. “It was very sad in this paradise to have this tragedy occur. It should have been a happy time for that lovely lady,” Ms Ayris said.

Cruise Line and Authorities Respond

Following the tragedy, Coral Expeditions confirmed that it had contacted Suzanne’s family and was offering support. The company’s chief executive, Mark Fifield, expressed condolences and said the line was cooperating fully with investigators.

“While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family,” he said. “We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation.”

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority also confirmed it was first alerted around 9 p.m. on the night Suzanne went missing. Officials said the search continued into the early hours before resuming at dawn. A report into what police described as a “sudden and non-suspicious death” is now being prepared for the coroner.

Calls for Change and Industry Questions

Suzanne’s family is now calling for a full coronial inquiry to determine exactly what went wrong and to ensure no other family experiences a similar loss. They want to know how a ship could depart without confirming that all passengers were safely back on board.

The tragedy has sparked wider questions about safety procedures in the expedition cruise sector. These smaller ships often visit remote locations where guests go ashore using tenders and join guided excursions. While most major cruise lines use strict headcounts and scanning systems, expedition cruises sometimes rely on manual checks or group guides.

Many in the cruise community are asking whether those systems are strong enough. If an elderly guest can be left behind without notice, what changes are needed to prevent it from happening again? Industry observers expect regulators to take a closer look at passenger tracking protocols as the investigation continues.