Aussie cruise ship Coral Adventurer runs aground in Papua New Guinea
A Cairns-based cruise ship collided with a reef off the coast of Papua New Guinea with more than 80 passengers on board, in its first voyage since the death of an 80-year-old passenger.
The Coral Adventurer ran aground about 30km from Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city, Lae, after colliding with a reef early Saturday morning.
The cruise, costing $13,280 per person, departed Cairns on December 18 and arrived in Papua New Guinea on December 20. It continued along the coastline until the passengers were scheduled to complete their journey and disembark on December 30.
A cruise line spokesman said 80 passengers and 43 crew members were uninjured.
“All passengers and crew are safe,” the spokesperson told NewsWire.
“Initial examination showed that there was no damage to the ship.
“The incident has been reported to authorities and will be subject to further formal inspection of the hull and marine environment as standard procedure.”
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it was aware the ship had run aground but did not receive a distress call from the Coral Adventurer.
“AMSA is currently monitoring the situation and stands ready to support PNG authorities if requested,” a spokesperson told NewsWire.
“AMSA is aware that there are currently no injuries among passengers and crew on board the Coral Adventurer.”
The Coral Adventurer is currently under investigation after 80-year-old NSW woman Suzanne Rees was found dead on remote Lizard Island on October 26.
He allegedly did not board the ship and was found dead a few hours later.
His death triggered multiple ongoing investigations by AMSA and Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
