New safety rules on the cards after Suzanne Rees’ death on Lizard Island

• The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has confirmed it is still investigating how a Coral Expeditions passenger died on Lizard Island.
• The agency also hinted that it could publish a report on safety lessons from the incident.
• Reports have suggested Suzanne Rees was left on the island by mistake.

AMSA is continuing to investigate the incident in which cruiser Suzanne Rees tragically died after reportedly being left behind on Lizard Island.

The Coral Adventurer reportedly left the island without realising that Rees was not onboard.

The incident sparked headlines in Australia, with many, including the family of Rees, demanding answers on what happened. The tragic incident happened almost four months ago.

Other agencies that were said to be investigating the incident include the Queensland Police and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

AMSA says it does not generally make public its findings but added: “The outcome of an investigation, however, may include the development of strategies and interventions to improve marine safety which may, in some circumstances, include the publication of a safety lessons report.”

This could suggest that AMSA will publish a report on safety suggestions for expedition cruising in Australia. It is possible that AMSA could publicise guidelines or recommendations for expedition ships in a bid to avoid the repeat of any similar incidents in the future.

Meanwhile, Coral Adventurer has been running into other problems, again drawing headlines after running aground on a reef near Papua New Guinea and being subsequently detained.

This led to the cruise line having to organise flights home for those onboard and cancel further voyages.