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Investigators Board Coral Adventurer in Cairns After Passenger’s Death on Lizard Island

AMSA has boarded the ship to scrutinize passenger accounting procedures from the ill‑fated shore excursion.

Overview

  • The vessel is anchored off Yorkeys Knob near Cairns, where Australian Maritime Safety Authority officers boarded after its return to port waters.
  • Queensland police describe the death of Suzanne Rees, 80, as non‑suspicious and are preparing a report for the coroner.
  • Tracking and witness accounts show the ship left Lizard Island in the afternoon, noticed Rees missing at dinner, turned back hours later, and her body was found the next morning.
  • AMSA has prohibited the embarkation of new passengers while multi‑agency investigations proceed, including inquiries by the coroner and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
  • Coral Expeditions canceled the 60‑day circumnavigation, offered full refunds, and chartered flights for guests after reports of earlier engine problems, while denying claims of unsafe staffing levels.