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A 60-day voyage around Australia is being halted days after the tragic passing of an senior woman who was left behind by the cruise liner on a distant island.

The elderly woman had been trekking on Lizard Island with shipmates from the vessel, but parted ways from the excursion for a pause. The vessel sailed away leaving her and returned later that day after the ship staff became aware the passenger was not present.

An extensive search operation found her remains the following day.

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

The CEO of the shipping company said that travelers and personnel on the vessel were notified that the remainder of the voyage had been called off due to the "sad loss and prior technical problems".

In a statement, he further stated that travelers would be provided a full refund, and said the company was working "to organize the return journeys of the passengers via private aircraft".

Authorities also published an updated statement, and said they had "provided a order to the Master" banning any further travelers from getting on the vessel.

The representative said that they would visit the vessel in the port city upon its return.

Chronology of Events

The ship originally sailed from the coastal city on the 24th of October, and was merely two days into the voyage at the point of the 80-year-old's passing. The remote island was the initial destination on the itinerary.

Guests on board - who generally pay large sums of dollars to join the cruise - were ferried there for a shore visit with the possibility of walking or snorkelling.

Relatives Response

The offspring of the victim said that her family was "surprised and saddened that the ship left Lizard Island after an scheduled outing without my parent".

Via her announcement, she characterized her parent as an "energetic octogenarian" who was a affiliate of a walking club.

"According to scant information we have been informed, it appears that there was a breakdown of attention and common sense," she mentioned.

She added that she hoped the investigation would be able to pinpoint what "the organization should have undertaken that might have protected Mum's life".

"We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and mother became unwell on the hill climb," she revealed.

"She was asked her to go back, without accompaniment. Then the ship left, apparently without conducting a passenger count.

"At a certain moment in that chain of events, or soon after, mother passed away, alone."

Company Position

Via official communication, the Head affirmed that the organization was "cooperating fully with officials to support their examination".

He stated that the company was "very regretful that this has happened" and had offered its full support to the loved ones.

Maritime Business Standards

The ship caters for up to 120 passengers with nearly fifty personnel, according to official data. It was specially constructed to enter isolated regions of the Australian shoreline and is fitted with "auxiliary vessels" - small boats used to transport individuals on day excursions.

Occurrences of this nature are infrequent, and passenger vessels have procedures to record which passengers are getting on or leaving, according to travel authorities.

"Leaving covertly or [back] aboard simply isn't an choice," a specialist stated.

Shipping companies regard these methods with great importance and have "advanced technology in place to avoid such occurrences from happening," the specialist continued.

"This is probably a shocking - and unfortunate - one-off."