Overview
- The Australian-flagged expedition ship grounded on a reef near Dregerhafen/Finschhafen about 30 kilometres from Lae early Saturday, tilting roughly six degrees to port.
- All 123 people aboard — 80 passengers and 43 crew — are reported safe, with initial checks showing no hull breach and no water ingress.
- Attempts to refloat the vessel with its engines failed; a tug-assisted tow also failed so far, with further efforts pending suitable conditions.
- Coral Expeditions canceled the 12-night voyage and will repatriate passengers by charter flight, likely to Cairns, after the ship remained stuck.
- The ATSB opened a grounding investigation, quarantined voyage data for analysis and plans interviews once safe, as PNG authorities assist and a local governor questioned the route through an area known for high reef.