The cruise ship Coral Adventurer, already under investigation for a separate incident, has run aground off the coast of Papua New Guinea, forcing the evacuation of its passengers.
Ship Stuck Fast on Coral Reef
The Coral Adventurer ran aground approximately 30 kilometres north of Port Moresby at around 6am on Saturday, December 28, 2025. The vessel, operated by Queensland-based Coral Expeditions, became stuck fast on a coral reef with about 120 people on board. This group included 80 passengers from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Israel, along with 44 crew members.
Initial attempts to refloat the ship were unsuccessful. By Tuesday, December 30, arrangements were made to fly approximately 80 passengers back to Australia. A spokesperson for Coral Expeditions confirmed the grounding incident, stating that all passengers and crew were safe. They added that an initial inspection indicated no damage to the vessel and that the incident had been reported to authorities for further official inspections.
Voyage Details and Official Response
The ship had departed from Cairns on December 18, 2025, on a scheduled cruise titled 'Frontier Lands of Papua New Guinea,' which was due to conclude in Madang on December 30. Following the grounding, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) was informed and stood by to offer assistance if required. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were sustained by anyone on board.
Previous Incident Under Investigation
This grounding is the latest in a series of challenges for the Coral Adventurer. The cruise line is currently being investigated for an incident in October 2025, where it allegedly left an Australian passenger, Suzanne Rees, behind on Lizard Island. The crew reportedly departed without realising she had not returned from a shore excursion. The vessel returned several hours later, but tragically, the 80-year-old woman was found dead during searches the following day.
The recent grounding off Papua New Guinea will likely intensify scrutiny of the cruise operator's procedures and safety protocols. The company has stated that standard procedures following such an incident, including hull and marine environment inspections, will be followed.
