Coral Adventurer Cruise Ship Runs Aground in Papua New Guinea Waters

Recent Grounding Incident Raises Safety Concerns

The Australian expedition cruise vessel Coral Adventurer has encountered serious difficulties during its first passenger voyage in two months. The ship, operated by Australian company Coral Expeditions, ran aground near Lae, Papua New Guinea, on Saturday, approximately 30 kilometres from the city. The incident is particularly significant as it occurred whilst the vessel remains under investigation for a previous tragedy.

All Passengers and Crew Reported Safe

All 80 passengers and 43 crew members were reported safe, with no immediate injuries or environmental damage detected after a preliminary inspection. The vessel’s operator confirmed that initial inspections indicated no damage to the ship itself. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has confirmed an investigation is underway after the Coral Adventurer ran aground off the Finschaffen Coast, east of Lae, Papua New Guinea. Authorities are now collecting voyage data recorder information, ship tracking data, and maintenance records as part of their investigation.

Context of Previous Investigation

The grounding comes whilst Coral Adventurer remains under investigation by Australian authorities in connection with the death of Suzanne Rees, aged 80, who was found deceased on Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, on October 26th. The vessel departed the island without her and returned several hours later after her absence was identified, with a large-scale search operation subsequently launched, and her body discovered the following day. The ship was only two days into a planned 60-day voyage when the incident occurred, and the remainder of the cruise was cancelled, with passengers receiving full refunds.

Implications for Cruise Industry Safety Standards

These incidents have raised significant questions about safety protocols aboard expedition cruise vessels operating in remote locations. The combination of the passenger death investigation and the recent grounding has put Coral Expeditions’ operational procedures under intense scrutiny from maritime authorities. The current 12-day cruise was originally scheduled to end on December 30, 2025. As investigations continue, the cruise industry faces renewed focus on passenger safety measures, particularly during shore excursions and navigation in challenging coastal waters. The outcome of these inquiries will likely influence safety standards across the expedition cruise sector.