Titanic warning for Antarctic cruisers
Scientists have warned that some large cruise ships taking holidaymakers to the wilds of Antarctica are “sailing into a potential disaster zone” because they are not safe enough.
According to a report in The Independent, researcher John Shears of the British Antarctic Survey says that some ships heading for the region would fail certain safety inspections – and not all of them are kitted out to cope with the extreme conditions often faced in the Antarctic.
In particular, the newspaper reports that some cruise liners do not have strengthened hulls to protect against icebergs and pack ice, and that many ships are “crewed by staff who are inadequately trained for the extreme conditions that can suddenly affect the Antarctic coastline”.
The newpaper quotes Dr Shears as saying: “We have found that ships do not have the right charts, that people have not had the right training, and they don’t have the proper safety gear on board. If the tour operators take proper precautions, take proper advice and have people properly trained, then fine.”
Debra Taylor, marketing director at Quark Expeditions, an Antarctic specialist, told News From Abroad this morning: “Our advice to people wanting to go to the region is to do lots of research before booking anything. Make sure the company is a member of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and it is imperative that they take the safety aspect extremely seriously.”
She added that the company’s ships are either icebreakers, which can negotiate pack ice, or ships with strengthened hulls designed to withstand collisions with icebergs.”
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive