"Coral Expeditions, the company that owns the ship, told guests and crew members on Oct. 29 that the rest of the trip had been canceled due to the tragic passing of Suzanne Rees and previous mechanical issues, USA Today reported. CEO Mark Fifield also noted that all passengers would receive full refunds and that the company was coordinating their return trips by chartered flight."
"The Coral Adventurer had only just begun its two-month circumnavigation of Australia when Rees was reported missing the night of Oct. 25. Earlier in day, the vessel docked at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, a resort destination with a nature preserve some 20 miles off the Queensland coast. Rees had been enjoying a guided hike on Cook's Look peak there with other passengers, but at some point became separated from the group."
An elderly passenger, Suzanne Rees, was left behind on Lizard Island during a guided hike and later found dead the next morning. The Coral Adventurer's remaining 60-day circumnavigation of Australia was canceled and all passengers were offered full refunds and chartered flights home. Coral Expeditions' CEO Mark Fifield said the company could not deliver its promised high-quality experience under the circumstances. The vessel experienced earlier engine problems that delayed its departure from Cairns by a week. Queensland Police described the death as sudden and non-suspicious. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is investigating boarding procedures and why the passenger was not accounted for.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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