UPDATE: The Coral Adventurer, a cruise ship stranded for days off the coast of Papua New Guinea, has been successfully refloated and is now undergoing assessments for seaworthiness. The vessel, carrying 80 passengers and 43 crew, ran aground on a reef near Lae early on Saturday, leaving all aboard stranded but unharmed.
Officials confirmed that initial attempts to free the ship were unsuccessful until a powerful tugboat arrived from Lae on Tuesday, successfully refloating the vessel. “I can confirm the ship was refloated yesterday afternoon,” a spokesperson from Coral Expeditions reported on Wednesday. “All passengers have been flown back to Cairns and are on their way home.”
Passengers were safely transported by boat to Lae, where they boarded a chartered flight back to Australia. The Coral Adventurer is currently anchored near the grounding site and is being inspected by certified divers, who found no significant damage to the vessel’s hull.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) are now conducting investigations to determine the ship’s seaworthiness post-grounding. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated, “The extent of any damage to the ship’s hull is not known, but water ingress is not reported.”
This incident follows a tragic event on October 25, when 80-year-old passenger Suzanne Rees died after being left behind on Lizard Island. The cruise was subsequently canceled after rescue services recovered her body. AMSA is investigating that incident as well, focusing on headcount practices and staffing levels.
In light of the recent grounding, Coral Expeditions has expressed sincere regret and is offering refunds or credits for future travel to affected passengers. The company is committed to ensuring safety and restoring confidence among its clientele.
As investigations continue, further updates on the Coral Adventurer’s fate are expected. The urgency of ensuring passenger safety and the ship’s readiness to resume operations remains paramount for Coral Expeditions and regulatory authorities. Stay tuned for the latest developments.
