CAIRNS-based Coral Expeditions has suffered a further incident that could potentially impact its reputation, with the grounding of the small cruise ship Coral Adventurer off the east coast of Papua New Guinea at about 0600 yesterday morning [27 December].
The 2019-built, 5,516 GRT, Australia-flagged vessel, with a reported 80 passengers and 43 crew onboard, struck a reef between Kumbam and Nussing islands, about 30 kilometres east of Lae. Nobody was injured and the ship is reportedly undamaged, awaiting high tide later tonight. AIS shows PacTow tugs on their way from Lae.
An officer from the PNG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has boarded the vessel to assist, local media reported, although it is unclear if those onboard had been taken off. Experts have pointed out that areas of PNG waters are un- or poorly charted.
Coral Adventurer had departed Cairns on 18 December on a 12-night cruise, which was due to conclude on Tuesday [30 December]. It was the ship’s first trip since an unfortunate October incident when an 80-yo passenger was inadvertently left behind after a landside excursion on Lizard Island. The woman later died, with the circumstances now the subject of several investigations.
An Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokesperson told DCN no distress call had been received from Coral Adventurer but the authority was notified of the grounding.
“AMSA is aware the ship has run aground off the coast of Papua New Guinea in the early morning of 27 December 2025.
“AMSA is currently monitoring the situation and is ready to support PNG authorities if requested.
“AMSA understands that there are no injuries among the passengers and crew onboard the Coral Adventurer at this time,” the spokesperson said.