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An extensive two-month cruise through the Australian Coast was terminated following the tragic passing of an older lady who was stranded by the ship on a remote island.

The elderly woman had been hiking on the remote island with shipmates from the cruise ship, but broke off from the excursion for a pause. The ship sailed away leaving her and returned later that day after the crew realised the woman was not present.

A large-scale hunt found her remains the subsequent day.

Officials are investigating the tragedy, in coordination with investigators and the official investigator.

Chief Executive of the shipping company stated that passengers and crew on the vessel were informed that the remainder of the voyage had been cancelled due to the "unfortunate death and prior engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he further stated that passengers would be provided a complete reimbursement, and said the operator was working "to organize the travel back of the travelers via chartered flights".

Authorities also released an revised communication, and said they had "delivered a order to the Master" banning any new passengers from boarding the liner.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the ship in the Australian city upon its arrival.

Chronology of Incidents

The ship first departed Cairns on October 24th, and was merely two days into the journey at the moment of the 80-year-old's passing. Lizard Island was the initial destination on the itinerary.

Travelers on the ship - who typically pay large sums of currency to join the expedition - were transported there for a daily excursion with the choice of trekking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Statement

The daughter of the victim said that her relatives was "stunned and saddened that the liner left Lizard Island after an planned tour without my mother".

In her statement, she portrayed her mother as an "active elderly person" who was a participant of a bushwalking group.

"From the little facts we have been provided, it appears that there was a lapse of attention and common sense," she stated.

She further stated that she wished the investigation would be able to identify what "the operator should have undertaken that might have protected Her life".

"Based on information from the investigators that it was a exceptionally warm day, and mother fell ill on the mountain ascent," she explained.

"Officials suggested her to head down, alone. Then the vessel departed, reportedly without performing a headcount.

"At some stage in that chain of events, or not long after, mum succumbed, alone."

Company Reaction

Via official communication, the Chief Executive verified that the company was "collaborating extensively with authorities to support their inquiry".

He mentioned that the firm was "extremely apologetic that this has happened" and had extended its total backing to the family.

Shipping Sector Practices

The vessel caters for up to 120 travelers with 46 personnel, according to official information. It was purpose-built to enter remote locations of the Australian coastline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - minor craft used to transport travelers on day excursions.

Events of this nature are infrequent, and passenger vessels have protocols to record which individuals are getting on or disembarking, according to travel authorities.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] on the ship really isn't an option," one expert remarked.

Vessel operators consider these methods very seriously and have "sophisticated systems in place to avoid such occurrences from happening," the expert continued.

"This appears to be most likely a surprising - and unfortunate - one-off."