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A two-month journey around Australia has been cancelled following the tragic passing of an elderly female passenger who was left behind by the cruise liner on a remote tropical isle.

The passenger had been hiking on Lizard Island with fellow passengers from the Coral Adventurer, but broke off from the party for a pause. The ship departed without her and went back after some time after the crew discovered the woman was not present.

A large-scale rescue mission found her person the following day.

Authorities are looking into the event, in coordination with law enforcement and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the shipping company announced that guests and staff on the vessel were notified that the rest of the voyage had been called off due to the "tragic passing and prior mechanical issues".

Through an announcement, he added that guests would be given a total repayment, and said the operator was working "to arrange the homeward trips of the travelers via specially arranged planes".

Authorities also published an revised statement, and said they had "delivered a order to the Master" banning any further travelers from getting on the vessel.

The official said that they would inspect the vessel in Cairns upon its return.

Chronology of Events

The vessel first departed Cairns on October 24th, and was just two days into the journey at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the opening port on the itinerary.

Passengers on the ship - who generally pay large sums of dollars to join the cruise - were transported there for a day trip with the choice of trekking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Reaction

The daughter of the victim said that her loved ones was "shocked and grieved that the ship left the location after an planned excursion without my mother".

Through her comments, she portrayed her parent as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a member of a bushwalking organization.

"From the little details we have been provided, it looks that there was a lapse of care and basic judgment," she said.

She further stated that she desired the investigation would be able to identify what "the organization should have undertaken that might have preserved Her life".

"We understand from the investigators that it was a extremely warm period, and mum fell ill on the uphill trek," she stated.

"They requested her to return, unescorted. Then the vessel left, reportedly without performing a roll call.

"During some point in that process, or not long after, mum died, without company."

Operator Reaction

Via official communication, the CEO confirmed that the operator was "collaborating extensively with authorities to assist their inquiry".

He said that the firm was "extremely apologetic that this has occurred" and had offered its total backing to the loved ones.

Shipping Sector Procedures

The ship caters for up to a hundred twenty passengers with forty-six staff, according to company information. It was purpose-built to reach remote areas of Australia's shoreline and is equipped with "small boats" - minor craft used to transport individuals on day excursions.

Events such as this are infrequent, and liners have procedures to record which individuals are getting on or leaving, according to industry experts.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard really isn't an option," one expert commented.

Shipping companies take these processes extremely carefully and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such incidents from taking place," the authority continued.

"This seems to be probably a stunning - and tragic - single occurrence."