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An extensive two-month journey around the Australian Coast is being halted following the fatal incident of an older lady who was abandoned by the ship on a distant tropical isle.

The passenger had been walking on the remote island with other travelers from the cruise ship, but separated from the party for a pause. The ship sailed away leaving her and came back after some time after the ship staff became aware the woman was missing.

A major rescue mission located her remains the next day.

Investigative bodies are examining the event, in coordination with investigators and the state coroner.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that travelers and staff on the ship were told that the remainder of the cruise had been called off due to the "unfortunate death and prior engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he further stated that passengers would be given a total repayment, and said the company was working "to coordinate the homeward trips of the individuals via chartered flights".

Officials also published an updated statement, and said they had "provided a notice to the Commander" preventing any further travelers from boarding the liner.

The official said that they would visit the ship in the port city upon its coming back.

Timeline of Events

The liner originally sailed from Cairns on October 24th, and was just two days into the journey at the moment of the elderly woman's death. The tropical location was the initial destination on the voyage.

Passengers on the vessel - who usually pay tens of thousands of dollars to participate in the voyage - were transported there for a shore visit with the choice of trekking or snorkelling.

Next of Kin Reaction

The daughter of the deceased woman said that her family was "surprised and saddened that the ship left the island after an scheduled outing without my parent".

In her statement, she characterized her mum as an "energetic 80-year-old" who was a participant of a hiking organization.

"According to scant facts we have been told, it seems that there was a breakdown of care and common sense," she mentioned.

She added that she hoped the inquiry would be able to identify what "the company should have done that might have protected Her being".

"We understand from the investigators that it was a extremely warm period, and she became unwell on the mountain ascent," she stated.

"They requested her to return, without accompaniment. Then the vessel left, seemingly without doing a passenger count.

"At some stage in that sequence, or soon after, mum succumbed, alone."

Organization Response

Through an announcement, the CEO confirmed that the organization was "collaborating extensively with authorities to aid their investigation".

He said that the company was "very regretful that this has transpired" and had extended its full support to the family.

Maritime Business Practices

The vessel caters for up to 120 travelers with nearly fifty staff, according to corporate details. It was purpose-built to access remote locations of Australia's coast and is equipped with "tenders" - compact vessels used to transport travelers on shore trips.

Incidents such as this are rare, and passenger vessels have systems to track which individuals are boarding or disembarking, according to industry experts.

"Leaving covertly or [back] onboard really isn't an choice," one expert commented.

Cruise lines regard these processes extremely carefully and have "clever tech in place to avoid such events from happening," the expert continued.

"This seems to be probably a stunning - and unfortunate - single occurrence."