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A 60-day cruise circling the Land Down Under was terminated in the wake of the death of an senior woman who was left behind by the ship on a remote tropical isle.

The elderly woman had been hiking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the Coral Adventurer, but broke off from the group for a break. The ship sailed away leaving her and returned later that day after the personnel realised the passenger was unaccounted for.

A large-scale hunt located her body the next day.

Officials are examining the incident, in coordination with police and the medical examiner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer announced that passengers and crew on the vessel were informed that the continuation of the cruise had been terminated due to the "unfortunate death and previous technical problems".

Via official communication, he mentioned that guests would be given a total repayment, and said the operator was working "to organize the homeward trips of the passengers via private aircraft".

Regulatory bodies also released an updated statement, and said they had "delivered a directive to the Master" preventing any additional guests from getting on the vessel.

The spokesperson said that they would inspect the vessel in the Australian city upon its coming back.

Chronology of Events

The liner first departed Cairns on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the journey at the point of the senior passenger's death. Lizard Island was the opening port on the journey.

Travelers on the vessel - who typically pay large sums of dollars to participate in the expedition - were ferried there for a daily excursion with the option of walking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Reaction

The daughter of the elderly passenger said that her family was "stunned and distressed that the ship left the island after an scheduled excursion without my mum".

Through her comments, she described her mother as an "vigorous elderly person" who was a affiliate of a walking group.

"Based on limited details we have been told, it appears that there was a failure of care and basic judgment," she stated.

She added that she hoped the inquiry would be able to identify what "the organization should have performed that might have saved Mum's life".

"Based on information from the authorities that it was a very hot day, and mum took sick on the hill climb," she revealed.

"Officials suggested her to return, without accompaniment. Then the boat departed, reportedly without conducting a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that process, or not long after, mother died, without company."

Company Reaction

In a statement, the Head affirmed that the operator was "working closely with officials to assist their examination".

He said that the firm was "very regretful that this has transpired" and had provided its total backing to the relatives.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The liner caters for up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty crew, according to official details. It was purpose-built to reach remote areas of Australia's coastline and is outfitted with "small boats" - minor craft used to ferry passengers on land visits.

Incidents of this nature are rare, and passenger vessels have procedures to track which individuals are boarding or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn't an possibility," an authority remarked.

Shipping companies consider these processes extremely carefully and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such incidents from occurring," the specialist continued.

"This appears to be most likely a surprising - and tragic - one-off."