NRMA cruise tragedy: Coral Adventurer returns as investigators probe Lizard Island death of passenger

The NRMA-owned Coral Adventurer has made a middle-of-the-night return to Cairns as questions mount over how an 81-year-old passenger was left behind on a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef.

The luxury cruise ship dropped anchor late Tuesday night off Yorkeys Knob, north of Cairns, rather than docking at the city’s cruise terminal as originally planned. Its declared arrival time had been 9.30am Monday.

The Coral Adventurer’s 60-night circumnavigation of Australia was cancelled last week following the death of passenger Suzanne Rees, who was found dead on Lizard Island after the vessel departed without her.

Marine tracking data showed one of the ship’s tender boats approaching the main vessel after nightfall, though its signal later disappeared from public applications, The Australian reported.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is expected to board the ship as early as Wednesday as part of a multi-agency probe into Ms Rees’ death.

AMSA investigators will examine how Ms Rees was left behind on the island and why it took more than five hours for the vessel to report her missing.

Ms Rees’ daughter, Katherine, said police told the family the retired accountant had fallen ill during a guided hike to Cook’s Look, the island’s highest point, on October 25.

Two crew members reportedly advised her to walk back to the ship alone. She never returned.

Queensland Police confirmed with The Nightly that they are preparing a report for the coroner following the “non-suspicious death of an 81-year-old New South Wales woman on Lizard Island on 26 October.”

An AMSA spokesperson confirmed that as AMSA is investigating the circumstances of this matter, we will not be providing further comments or details at this stage.

Her body was found about 50 metres from the hiking trail the following morning. Her death has triggered investigations by Queensland Police, the state coroner, workplace health and safety authorities, and AMSA.

The NRMA purchased a 46.1 per cent stake in Cairns-based Coral Expeditions in 2021, later acquiring full ownership for $95.3 million in July 2023.

The company described the cruise line as “the only Australian flag-carrying cruise business” and said the investment would help protect access to iconic destinations such as the reef and the Kimberley.

In the 2023–24 financial year, NRMA reported that 6250 people had travelled aboard Coral Expeditions vessels, 24 per cent of whom were NRMA members.

NRMA’s most recent annual report also revealed that its audit and risk committee had conducted a “deep dive” into Coral Expeditions’ safety practices in international waters. However, it did not include domestic operations — a gap now under fresh scrutiny.

When asked whether this review would be expanded, an NRMA spokesperson told The Nightly: “As part of the NRMA Group’s proactive risk assessment processes and to ensure good governance we will, from time-to-time, conduct deep-dives into the operational procedures across our businesses. We felt it was prudent to conduct such a review into our vessels operating in international waters.”

“The death of Ms Rees was devastating,” NRMA chair Derek Stanwell said.

“I feel a heavy sadness that a trip that should have been a source of joy and adventure ended so tragically.

“On behalf of the entire NRMA and Coral Expeditions communities, we are deeply sorry,” he said.

“Our immediate priorities are supporting the family in whatever way they need, as well as cooperating with the investigations underway. Like everyone, we are determined to understand how this could have occurred and get the Rees family the answers they deserve.”

Asked if NRMA would expand its review to domestic safety procedures, a spokesperson said: “It is reasonable after a tragic event such as this to review all practices and procedures.”

The company defended its earlier focus on international operations.

“As part of the NRMA Group’s proactive risk assessment processes and to ensure good governance we will, from time to time, conduct deep dives into operational procedures across our business. We felt it was prudent to conduct such a review into our vessels operating in international waters,” the spokesperson said.

Lizard Island had been the Coral Adventurer’s first stop on its two-month circumnavigation voyage.

The ship has since abandoned its itinerary, and it has been reported that all passengers — including Ms Rees’ family — promised full refunds.

For now, the ship sits quietly off Cairns, its grand voyage replaced by a growing investigation into how one of Australia’s most exclusive cruises ended in tragedy.