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One 60-day voyage around Australia is being halted days after the tragic passing of an elderly woman who was stranded by the vessel on a remote tropical isle.

The passenger had been hiking on the tropical location with shipmates from the Coral Adventurer, but separated from the party for a pause. The ship departed without her and returned later that day after the personnel discovered the lady was missing.

A major rescue mission located her remains the next day.

Authorities are examining the tragedy, alongside police and the state coroner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that guests and staff on the vessel were informed that the remainder of the journey had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and previous engine troubles".

In a statement, he added that guests would be provided a total repayment, and said the company was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the individuals via chartered flights".

Officials also released an revised statement, and said they had "provided a order to the Captain" prohibiting any new passengers from getting on the liner.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the vessel in the Australian city upon its coming back.

Sequence of Occurrences

The ship initially left Cairns on 24 October, and was just two days into the expedition at the point of the 80-year-old's death. Lizard Island was the opening port on the journey.

Guests on the vessel - who usually pay large sums of dollars to take part in the expedition - were transported there for a shore visit with the possibility of walking or underwater exploration.

Family Statement

The child of the victim said that her relatives was "surprised and saddened that the ship left the island after an organised outing without my mum".

In her statement, she characterized her mother as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a affiliate of a hiking club.

"From the little details we have been informed, it looks that there was a lapse of care and basic judgment," she mentioned.

She continued that she desired the investigation would be able to determine what "the company should have performed that might have protected Mum's life".

"According to reports from the investigators that it was a extremely warm period, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she explained.

"They requested her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the vessel left, apparently without conducting a passenger count.

"During some point in that process, or not long after, mother succumbed, by herself."

Operator Response

Through an announcement, the CEO verified that the operator was "working closely with authorities to aid their investigation".

He said that the firm was "extremely apologetic that this has transpired" and had extended its complete assistance to the family.

Shipping Sector Standards

The ship caters for up to 120 passengers with 46 staff, according to official information. It was specially constructed to reach distant areas of the Australian coastline and is equipped with "auxiliary vessels" - compact vessels used to transport passengers on day excursions.

Events such as this are uncommon, and liners have protocols to document which passengers are embarking or leaving, according to maritime specialists.

"Leaving covertly or [back] aboard just isn't an option," an authority remarked.

Vessel operators consider these procedures very seriously and have "clever tech in place to avoid such events from occurring," the specialist added.

"This is probably a shocking - and unfortunate - isolated incident."