AMSA Probes Passenger Headcount After Lizard Island Death

Australian authorities are investigating the death of 80-year-old cruise passenger Suzanne Rees, who was found deceased on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef after she did not return to her ship during a shore excursion.

Queensland Police said the death is being treated as sudden and non-suspicious, and that a report will be prepared for the coroner. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is separately examining what happened, including whether passenger accounting procedures were properly followed.

What happened during the Lizard Island shore excursion

Rees, from Sydney, was travelling aboard Coral Adventurer, a small expedition ship operated by Coral Expeditions, on a planned 60-day circumnavigation of Australia that departed Cairns on October 24. Lizard Island, a remote destination off Queensland’s coast north of Cairns, was the voyage’s first stop on October 25.

Passengers went ashore by tender for activities including hiking and snorkelling. During a group hike toward the island’s summit at Cook’s Look, Rees reportedly felt unwell in extreme heat and stopped to rest. She was instructed to head back to the ship alone, and later became separated from her group during the walk.

Coral Adventurer departed Lizard Island without Rees back on board. She was later reported missing when she did not appear for dinner, prompting the ship to return to the island later that evening as search efforts began. Her body was found the following morning, roughly 50 metres off the hiking path.

Timeline of notification and search response

• The ship’s captain reported the passenger missing at about 9pm local time on Saturday, according to AMSA, which said it initiated a response and worked with other agencies after receiving the call.
• Queensland Police were notified later that night and search and rescue operations were launched across land and sea, with Nautilus Aviation assisting. The woman’s body was located on Sunday morning.

Investigation focuses on accountability systems, with restrictions placed on the ship

AMSA said its investigation includes the circumstances around why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding. Under Australian regulations, commercial passenger vessel operators are required to have systems to ensure passengers are accounted for before a vessel departs.

In the days after the incident, AMSA investigators boarded Coral Adventurer after it returned to the Cairns area, where it anchored offshore near Yorkeys Knob because of limited berth availability. Further inquiries were also set to occur when the vessel reached Darwin later in the week, with officials indicating they would meet and question crew as part of the inquiry when the ship reached port later in the voyage.

As the investigation continued, AMSA confirmed it issued a notice to the master of Coral Adventurer prohibiting the embarkation of any new passengers until further notice.

Operator statement and family criticism

Coral Expeditions Chief Executive Officer Mark Fifield confirmed a passenger died during an excursion at Lizard Island and said the crew notified authorities when she was identified as missing. He said the company is cooperating with Queensland Police and other authorities.

“While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family,” Fifield said. He added the company had been in contact with the family and would continue to assist them.

Rees’ daughter, Katherine Rees, said the family was “shocked and saddened” that the ship departed after an organised excursion without her mother back on board. “From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense,” she said, alleging breakdowns in basic safeguards during the excursion and calling for the coronial process to determine what should have occurred and whether different actions could have prevented the death.

Cruise cancelled, passengers flown home

Coral Expeditions cancelled the remainder of the 60-day voyage following the incident and amid existing mechanical issues affecting the ship. Fifield said passengers were advised mid-week that the trip would not continue and that guests would receive a full refund.

Passengers disembarked at Horn Island in Queensland’s far north and were transferred back to the mainland by charter aircraft, while the vessel made its way back toward the Cairns region with only a reduced crew remaining onboard.

About Coral Adventurer, Lizard Island, and shore-day risks

Coral Adventurer is an expedition-focused ship designed to access remote coastal destinations. Coral Expeditions’ published vessel information lists capacity for up to 120 guests with 46 crew, and the ship uses tenders to ferry guests to shore for activities. The vessel does not carry onboard medical personnel.

Lizard Island is known for challenging hikes and scenic viewpoints, and it is home to a marine research station and a luxury resort. The hike to Cook’s Look is considered strenuous and requires a moderate to high level of fitness.

Travel industry commentator Harriet Mallinson, cruise editor at travel website Sailawaze, said incidents of this kind are rare because cruise operators typically have strict systems for tracking guests on and off vessels. “Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn’t an option,” Mallinson said.

Government, tourism, and industry responses

Cook Shire Mayor Robyn Holmes said the council was aware of the death at Lizard Island and offered condolences to the woman’s family and those affected, while also thanking emergency personnel and agencies involved in the response. Tourism Tropical North Queensland said it extended sympathies to the family and, with an active investigation underway, was awaiting further detail.

Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said he had requested a briefing once investigations progress, adding it was important for police to have time to prepare their report for the coroner. Gareth Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators, said the operator had a strong safety record and added, “Safety has always been, and will remain, our number one priority.”

Authorities have said the death remains under investigation, with coronial processes continuing in parallel. AMSA’s inquiry and the restriction on embarking new passengers mean the next key developments are expected to come from investigative findings and any subsequent regulatory action.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is investigating the Coral Adventurer Lizard Island incident?

AMSA is investigating alongside Queensland Police, and Queensland Police have said a report will be prepared for the coroner.

How did the search for Suzanne Rees unfold?

AMSA said it was alerted by the ship’s captain at about 9pm local time on Saturday. Queensland Police were notified later that night, a land and sea search was launched with Nautilus Aviation assisting, and Rees was found on Sunday morning.

What action has AMSA taken against the ship during the investigation?

AMSA confirmed it issued a notice to the master of Coral Adventurer prohibiting the embarkation of any new passengers until further notice.

Why is passenger counting central to the investigation?

AMSA said its investigation includes the circumstances around why the passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding. Under Australian regulations, commercial passenger vessel operators are required to have systems to ensure passengers are accounted for.

What kind of ship is Coral Adventurer, and what trip was Rees on?

Coral Adventurer is a small expedition ship operated by Coral Expeditions that carries up to 120 guests with 46 crew and uses tenders for remote shore excursions. Rees was on a planned 60-day circumnavigation of Australia that departed Cairns on October 24, with tickets described as costing tens of thousands of dollars.