Coral Adventurer drops anchor off Yorkeys Knob after passenger death at Lizard Island
The cruise ship at the centre of the Great Barrier Reef investigation following the death of a Sydney grandmother at Lizard Island has been boarded by investigators.
The cruise ship at the centre of the Great Barrier Reef investigation following the death of a Sydney grandmother at Lizard Island has been boarded by investigators after the vessel arrived in Cairns on Tuesday.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority officials dressed in hi-vis gear boarded a tender belonging to the Coral Adventurer at about 9.30am and were taken to the ship sitting at anchor off the coast of Yorkeys Knob.
An unknown man, understood to be a Coral Expeditions manager, was also taken out to the ship on Wednesday from the Yorkeys Knob boat ramp.
AMSA and police are making inquiries into the death of 80-year-old Sydney passenger Suzanne Rees who died at Lizard Island while on a shore excursion that involved a hike to the summit of the island’s highest peak.
On Wednesday morning the vessel was sitting at anchor off the coast of Yorkeys Knob after being unable to secure a berth at the Cairns cruise liner wharf, but Coral Expeditions and AMSA remain tight-lipped about how the investigation is expected to proceed.
Coral Expeditions confirmed the company was co-operating with investigators but declined to confirm the identity of a company representative who boarded the ship this morning.
Traci Aryis, who was aboard the yacht, SV Vellamo, anchored at Lizard Island at the time of Ms Rees’ death, described the incident as a “tragic tale”.
“I heard two Coral Adventurer staff on the radio who sounded particularly upset, they were in the search party,” she said.
Both Ms Aryis and her partner Matthew were listening to emergency radio transmissions sent from the Coral Expeditions vessel.
The 80-year-old was found dead last month after a search failed to locate Ms Rees and a missed headcount meant she was left behind on Lizard Island on October 25.
What was planned as a 60-day cruise was cancelled by Coral Expeditions on Saturday following the “tragic” death of Ms Rees and the Coral Adventurer having mechanical issues.
Having completed the same hike on Lizard Island two days before, Ms Aryis said conditions were extremely hot.
“I set off at 7am due to the extreme heat up there later in the day,” she said.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Minister for Science and Innovation Andrew Powell said he requested a briefing from the Police Minister at the appropriate time.
“It is important that police have the time to carry out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident, as they prepare a report for the Coroner,” he said.
An inside source has suggested that the 60-night Coral Adventurer trip was delayed a week after engine problems, and believed that crew could have been “understaffed” for excursions.
The insider said the incident has left staff “shaken,” with many now seeking new maritime jobs.
Earlier in the week an AMSA spokesman said the ship was making its way back to Cairns.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has issued a notice to the master of Coral Adventurer prohibiting the embarkation of any new passengers,” he said.
A Coral Expeditions spokesman denied the claims, saying staffing levels were consistent with regulations.
“Staffing levels on the Coral Adventurer – and for the Lizard Island walk – were entirely consistent with previous cruises and in line with regulatory and operational requirements,” they said.
The company also declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Originally published as Coral Adventurer drops anchor off Yorkeys Knob after passenger death at Lizard Island
