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An extensive two-month cruise circling the Australian Coast has been cancelled days after the death of an older lady who was stranded by the ship on a remote island.

The passenger had been hiking on Lizard Island with other travelers from the vessel, but broke off from the group for a break. The vessel left without her and came back later that day after the personnel realised the passenger was not present.

An extensive rescue mission found her person the next day.

Authorities are looking into the event, alongside investigators and the medical examiner.

Chief Executive of the voyage organizer announced that guests and staff on the Coral Adventurer were informed that the rest of the voyage had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and prior mechanical issues".

In a statement, he added that guests would be provided a total repayment, and said the organization was working "to organize the travel back of the passengers via chartered flights".

Authorities also issued an updated statement, and said they had "provided a order to the Commander" banning any additional guests from entering the liner.

The spokesperson said that they would inspect the vessel in the Australian city upon its arrival.

Timeline of Events

The vessel originally sailed from the coastal city on October 24th, and was just two days into the expedition at the point of the senior passenger's demise. Lizard Island was the first stop on the itinerary.

Passengers on the ship - who usually pay substantial amounts of dollars to participate in the cruise - were transported there for a daily excursion with the option of hiking or underwater exploration.

Next of Kin Reaction

The daughter of the deceased woman said that her family was "surprised and distressed that the liner left the location after an scheduled excursion without my mum".

Through her comments, she described her mum as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a member of a hiking group.

"According to scant facts we have been told, it looks that there was a lapse of care and basic judgment," she mentioned.

She added that she wished the inquiry would be able to identify what "the operator should have performed that might have protected Mother's being".

"We understand from the investigators that it was a very hot afternoon, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she explained.

"She was asked her to head down, without accompaniment. Then the boat departed, reportedly without doing a passenger count.

"During some point in that sequence, or not long after, she passed away, alone."

Operator Response

Via official communication, the Head confirmed that the operator was "working closely with investigators to aid their examination".

He stated that the firm was "extremely apologetic that this has transpired" and had offered its total backing to the family.

Cruise Industry Procedures

The vessel accommodates up to 120 passengers with 46 staff, according to official details. It was purpose-built to reach remote locations of the nation's coast and is fitted with "small boats" - compact vessels used to transport travelers on shore trips.

Incidents like this are infrequent, and liners have procedures to track which individuals are embarking or getting off, according to travel authorities.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard just isn't an option," an authority commented.

Cruise lines regard these procedures very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to prevent such occurrences from happening," the authority added.

"This appears to be presumably a shocking - and unfortunate - one-off."