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An extensive two-month cruise around Australia was terminated in the wake of the tragic passing of an senior female passenger who was abandoned by the ship on a remote coastal location.

The elderly woman had been hiking on the tropical location with other travelers from the vessel, but separated from the party for a pause. The vessel departed without her and returned several hours later after the personnel became aware the woman was missing.

A major rescue mission discovered her body the next day.

Investigative bodies are examining the incident, alongside law enforcement and the official investigator.

The CEO of the voyage organizer stated that travelers and crew on the vessel were notified that the remainder of the journey had been cancelled due to the "tragic passing and previous engine troubles".

Through an announcement, he mentioned that guests would be given a full refund, and said the operator was working "to arrange the return journeys of the individuals via chartered flights".

Regulatory bodies also published an updated announcement, and said they had "provided a directive to the Commander" banning any new passengers from entering the ship.

The spokesperson said that they would inspect the liner in Cairns upon its coming back.

Chronology of Events

The ship originally sailed from Cairns on October 24th, and was only 48 hours into the voyage at the point of the senior passenger's demise. The tropical location was the initial destination on the itinerary.

Passengers on board - who usually pay substantial amounts of currency to participate in the voyage - were ferried there for a daily excursion with the choice of hiking or snorkelling.

Family Statement

The child of the deceased woman said that her family was "shocked and grieved that the ship left the location after an organised excursion without my parent".

In her statement, she described her parent as an "vigorous 80-year-old" who was a member of a walking group.

"Based on limited information we have been provided, it looks that there was a lapse of attention and common sense," she said.

She added that she wished the inquiry would be able to identify what "the operator should have done that might have saved Mum's being".

"Based on information from the authorities that it was a exceptionally warm afternoon, and she became unwell on the mountain ascent," she revealed.

"They requested her to return, unescorted. Then the boat sailed away, reportedly without performing a roll call.

"During some point in that sequence, or shortly after, mother passed away, without company."

Company Response

Through an announcement, the Chief Executive confirmed that the company was "collaborating extensively with authorities to assist their examination".

He said that the firm was "very regretful that this has happened" and had offered its complete assistance to the family.

Shipping Sector Standards

The ship accommodates up to a hundred twenty passengers with forty-six staff, according to official data. It was specially constructed to reach remote locations of the nation's shoreline and is outfitted with "tenders" - compact vessels used to transport individuals on shore trips.

Occurrences like this are infrequent, and passenger vessels have protocols to document which travelers are getting on or getting off, according to travel authorities.

"Going ashore secretly or [back] onboard really isn't an option," an authority stated.

Cruise lines regard these procedures with great importance and have "sophisticated systems in place to stop such incidents from happening," the authority continued.

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