Ten passengers and eight crew from Silversea’s expedition ship Silver Cloud were rescued after being stranded on a remote island off Australia’s northwest coast, reported 1News New Zealand. The unexpected situation unfolded on Thursday afternoon near Adele Island, approximately 100 km north of mainland Western Australia, during a guided zodiac excursion.

Around 60 other passengers had already made it to safer waters after their zodiac boats grounded on a reef. But a fast-moving tide surprised a smaller group, leaving them stranded in knee-deep water about four nautical miles from the ship. They then waded approximately 500 m across a coral reef to reach deeper water, where a rescue flotilla of zodiac boats launched from the ship picked them up.

Most passengers were back onboard by sunset, receiving care for minor cuts and abrasions. However, the remaining group—ten passengers and eight crew members—were stranded in darkness for over four hours until the tide turned around 10 pm local time .

The Silver Cloud, known for its luxury expedition voyages, is currently en route to Talbot Bay, continuing its 12-day Kimberley voyage