08 December 2008

Passengers rescued as cruise ship runs aground

A cruise ship with 122 passengers and crew on board ran aground off the coast of Antarctica.

The Argentine vessel MV Ushuaia was involved.

Two Chilean naval ships wass sent to assist in the rescue and repatriation of the 82 passengers and 40 crew.

Those on board were taken to a Chilean military base in Antarctica by the navy. 

The cause of the grounding is as yet unknown, according to adventure operator Tucan Travel which had five holidaymakers on board the ship.

Passengers and crew wee reported to be in good health and the ship is not in danger of sinking.

The owner and operator of the ship, Antarpply Expeditions, said it is doubtful that sailings scheduled for December 8 and 18 will go ahead.

Tucan Travel managing director Matt Gannan said there was no imminent danger to passengers and crew.

"Their first priority is to ensure the safety of all passengers and we are confident that they are on top of the situation," he said.

"Antarpply has made arrangements to carry out safety checks on the vessel when it arrives back at the port of Ushuaia."

The ship has leaked fuel but contamination is reported to have been contained by oil spill barriers. 

A cruise ship sank in the same region a year ago and 150 passengers had to escape in lifeboats. The MS Explorer hit an iceberg close to the South Shetland Islands.

by Phil Davies

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