Antarctic rescue complete
Friday, 23 Nov 2007 16:40
The MV Explorer reportedly hit an object near the South Shetland Islands
Over 150 people have been safely rescued after the cruise ship they were travelling on began sinking in the Antarctic.
The M/S Explorer hit submerged ice in the Bransfield Strait off King George's Island, Antarctica at 05:24 GMT this morning, creating a hole reportedly the size of a fist.
It quickly began filling with water and developed a list, which by late afternoon had reached around 40 degrees.
All 100 passengers, together with 54 crew, abandoned the vessel and took to lifeboats. They were then picked up the NordNorge cruise ship, one of two vessels quickly arriving at the scene.
The NordNorge is expected to dock at King George's Island around 17:00 GMT today.
"Standard procedures were followed by the crew with passengers calmly evacuated," the Explorer's owner Gap Adventures said in a statement.
"The families of those passengers are now being telephoned by Gap Adventures to advise them of the safety of their loved ones."
There were 24 British nationals aboard the Explorer as well as 17 Dutch, 14 Americans, 12 Canadians and ten Australians.
Falmouth coastguard assisted rescue operations along with US coastguard representatives. Weather conditions around the stricken vessel were reported as being good, but cold.
Current temperatures of around -5C are relatively high for the region, which is currently enjoying its summer season.
The M/S Explorer was working its way along the Danco Coast of Antarctica as part of a 19-day cruise from Ushuaia.