Cruise ship grounds off PNG, passengers to fly home

The ship’s operators, NRMA-owned Coral Expeditions, have engaged a tugboat provider to help refloat the ship, and those efforts continue Monday.

“The extent of any damage to the ship’s hull is unknown but no water intrusion has been reported,” Mitchell said.

The ship’s voyage data recorder had been quarantined and investigators were collecting ship tracking data, weather information, crew, operator and maintenance records.

A Coral Expeditions spokesperson said that initial inspections did not show any damage to the ship and that further inspections would be carried out after the ship is refloated.

“Recognizing that we were unable to deliver the exceptional experience our guests expected on this occasion, Coral Expeditions has decided to terminate the tour,” they said in a statement on Monday.

The company confirmed that no one was injured and all passengers would be flown out of PNG by charter flight.

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Following the death of 80-year-old passenger Suzanne Rees in October, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority launched an investigation into headcount practices and staffing levels.

Rees was hiking on Lizard Island with other passengers but left the group because he was not feeling well.

He never returned to the ship that left the island, but returned hours later when the crew realized Rees was missing.