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A 60-day voyage around Australia is being halted days after the death of an elderly woman who was stranded by the vessel on a distant island.

The elderly woman had been walking on the remote island with shipmates from the Coral Adventurer, but broke off from the party for a pause. The ship departed without her and went back later that day after the personnel discovered the passenger was missing.

An extensive rescue mission discovered her remains the next day.

Authorities are investigating the tragedy, in coordination with police and the state coroner.

Head of the cruise operator said that travelers and staff on the Coral Adventurer were notified that the remainder of the voyage had been cancelled due to the "sad loss and earlier mechanical issues".

In a statement, he added that guests would be provided a complete reimbursement, and said the company was working "to arrange the homeward trips of the passengers via specially arranged planes".

Officials also issued an latest announcement, and said they had "issued a order to the Captain" prohibiting any new passengers from entering the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would attend the liner in the port city upon its coming back.

Timeline of Incidents

The vessel first departed Cairns on 24 October, and was just two days into the expedition at the time of the senior passenger's passing. The tropical location was the initial destination on the itinerary.

Travelers on board - who usually pay tens of thousands of money to participate in the expedition - were taken there for a day trip with the option of trekking or snorkeling.

Family Response

The offspring of the victim said that her relatives was "surprised and grieved that the vessel left Lizard Island after an scheduled tour without my mother".

Via her announcement, she described her mother as an "active elderly person" who was a member of a bushwalking group.

"Based on limited facts we have been provided, it appears that there was a failure of responsibility and common sense," she said.

She further stated that she desired the investigation would be able to identify what "the company should have done that might have saved Her existence".

"According to reports from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm afternoon, and mother became unwell on the uphill trek," she revealed.

"They requested her to go back, unescorted. Then the vessel sailed away, reportedly without conducting a passenger count.

"During some point in that process, or soon after, mother died, by herself."

Organization Position

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

He stated that the organization was "very regretful that this has transpired" and had provided its full support to the relatives.

Maritime Business Practices

The ship accommodates up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty crew, according to company details. It was purpose-built to enter remote locations of the nation's shoreline and is fitted with "small boats" - compact vessels used to ferry individuals on land visits.

Incidents such as this are uncommon, and passenger vessels have procedures to document which passengers are embarking or disembarking, according to maritime specialists.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] aboard simply isn't an possibility," an authority stated.

Cruise lines regard these processes very seriously and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such incidents from taking place," the specialist continued.

"This appears to be most likely a stunning - and sad - one-off."