Travel Tips

Expedition Cruise Ship Runs Aground in Antarctica


Docked cruise shipAn expedition cruise ship carrying 106 passengers and crew ran aground in Antarctica yesterday amid high winds and rough seas.

The Ocean Nova, operated by Quark Expeditions, became stranded around 3 a.m. Tuesday in Marguerite Bay near Debenham Island.

The captain made a distress call after two unsuccessful attempts to free the ship.

Authorities say those onboard are not in any danger because the ship is not leaking oil nor taking on water.

The Ocean Nova was constructed in 1992 specifically for polar expeditions and its ice-strengthened hull can withstand more stress than conventional cruise ships.

The ship was in the middle of a two-week expedition when it became stuck on rocks near a polar research station. Passengers paid up to $18,000 for the trip, which departed from the Argentine port of Ushuaia eight days ago.

Quark Expeditions has dispatched a second ship to the area to assist the Nova in case passengers need to be evacuated. However, company officials expect that the ship will be able to dislodge itself when the tide reaches a high point Wednesday at midnight.

A Spanish ship is already on scene, carrying divers who will inspect the Nova’s hull to ensure that it has not been damaged.

Passengers are reportedly carrying on as normal while they wait for the situation to be resolved. The onboard lecture series is continuing on schedule, and the ship’s electricity and fuel supply are still flowing.

Related links: USA Today, CNN, The Guardian, Associated Press

By Karen Elowitt for PeterGreenberg.com.

Related articles on PeterGreenberg.com: