The daughter of an 80-year-old woman who was tragically discovered dead after being abandoned by a commercial cruise ship on a remote island has publicly criticized the cruise operator.

According to the BBC, rescuers found Suzanne Rees’ body on Sunday, October 26, on Lizard Island, part of the Great Barrier Reef.

It is believed that the New South Wales resident did not return to the Coral Adventurer cruise ship after hiking on the island with other passengers. She had been left behind at the very first stop of the ship’s 60-day voyage around Australia, a journey reported to have cost approximately $52,000 (£39,000), as stated by the New York Post.

Although authorities are treating Rees’ death as “sudden and non-suspicious,” her daughter, Katherine Rees, expressed deep shock and grief over what she describes as a “failure of care.”

Speaking to The Australian, Katherine said, “From the little information we have been given, it seems there was a serious failure of care and common sense. We understand from the police that it was an extremely hot day, and Mum became unwell during the hill climb. She was instructed to descend the hill unaccompanied.”

She added, “Then the ship departed, apparently without conducting a proper passenger count. Somewhere during that sequence—or shortly afterward—Mum died, alone and vulnerable.”

Katherine emphasized her hope that the coronial inquiry will determine what actions the company could have taken that might have saved her mother’s life.

Queensland Police reported that the Coral Adventurer raised the alarm at 10 p.m. (AEST) on Saturday, October 25, notifying the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre, the emergency hotline operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in Canberra.

Rees’ body was located the following day after a rescue helicopter was dispatched at 12:45 a.m.

An AMSA spokesperson commented, “We are currently investigating whether there was any non-compliance related to the passenger not being counted on the ship, and if necessary, will take action to address it. We are examining why this passenger may not have been accounted for during boarding.”

Mark Fifield, chief executive of Coral Expeditions, also addressed the incident on Tuesday: “On Saturday, 25 October, the crew notified authorities that a woman was missing, and a search and rescue operation was immediately launched both on land and at sea. Following the operation, Queensland police informed Coral Expeditions that the woman had been found deceased on Lizard Island.”

He continued, “While investigations into this tragic incident are ongoing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman’s family. The Coral team has been in contact with the family and will continue to provide assistance throughout this difficult period.”

Fifield further stated, “We are working closely with Queensland police and other relevant authorities to support their investigation. We are unable to provide additional comments while this process is underway, but our priority remains the well-being of the family and learning from this incident to prevent future tragedies.”

This shocking event has sparked widespread public discussion regarding cruise ship safety protocols and the responsibility of tour operators to ensure the well-being of all passengers, especially those who may be more vulnerable. Experts note that incidents like this, while rare, highlight the importance of strict safety measures and diligent supervision on remote excursions.