Cruise ship crew to be questioned over death of passenger left on island
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Australia's maritime safety watchdog is investigating how an elderly passenger died on a Great Barrier Reef island after being left behind by a cruise ship.
The woman, who was aged in her 80s and hasn't been identified, was reported missing to authorities last Saturday night, when a check of the cruise ship the Coral Adventurer revealed she was missing.
She had been part of Coral Expedition's cruise to the exclusive resort destination Lizard Island, off the coast of Cooktown in Far North Queensland, earlier that day.
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Search and rescue crews, who had been scouring the land and sea for her, found her dead on the island the following day.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said in a statement it was investigating and would question the ship's crew when the ship docks in Darwin, scheduled for Sunday.
"AMSA will make an assessment as to whether there was any non-compliance associated with the passenger not being counted onto the ship and, if necessary, will take action to address them," a spokesperson said.
AMSA said it began searching with Queensland Police after the ship's captain reported the woman missing to authorities at 9pm last Saturday.
Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield offered his apology to the woman's family and said the company was working with authorities in their investigations.
"Coral Expeditions can confirm the tragic death of a passenger on the Coral Adventurer during an excursion to Lizard Island in Queensland," he said in a statement.
"While investigations into the incident are continuing, we are deeply sorry that this has occurred and are offering our full support to the woman's family.
"The Coral team have been in contact with the woman's family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process.
"We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation."
Queensland Police is investigating the death, but has ruled it non-suspicious.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
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