Police have determined there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a 47-year-old woman who fell overboard a P&O cruise ship whilst at sea last week.
A crew member witnessed the passenger fall from the top deck of the Pacific Dawn liner off the coast of New Caledonia on Thursday afternoon.
Crime scene detectives boarded the ship when it docked at Portside Wharf in Brisbane about 5:45am on Sunday morning, two days after a search in surrounding waters was called off.
Regional Duty Officer Inspector Rob Graham said the presumed death was not being treated as suspicious.
"The missing person did not accidentally fall," he said.
"What can only be described as a very tragic set of circumstances on which should have been a weeklong holiday of a lifetime for a lot of people.
"At the conclusion of this a report will be compiled and provided to the coroner's office. The corner will then make a determination after reviewing and assessing that information if a coronial inquest is to be held."
Inspector Graham said P&O had assisted police with their investigations and praised the efforts of crew in response to the incident.
"The level of professionalism is unquestionable," he said.
The woman's family have received counselling on board and all passengers have begun disembarking.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority boarded the ship on Sunday to inspect safety compliance on the ship.
