150 evacuated from cruise ship off Antarctica

November 23, 2007 · Filed Under World News

A Canadian cruise ship struck submerged ice off Antarctica and began taking on water, but all 154 passengers and crew took to lifeboats and were rescued safely today by a passing Norwegian liner.

The 91 passengers from 14 countries included at least 13 Americans, 22 Britons, 17 Dutch and 10 Canadians, officials said. In addition to the passengers, there were nine expedition staff members and a crew of 54.

Susan Hayes of G.A.P. Adventures of Toronto, which owns the stricken vessel offered a brief statement:

“The ship ran into some ice. It was submerged ice and the result was a hole about the size of a fist in the side of the hull so it began taking on water … but quite slowly,” she said. “The passengers are absolutely fine. They’re all accounted for, no injuries whatsoever.”

G.A.P Adventures is a tour company that provides eco-friendly excursions with an environmental focus. The Explorer was in the midst of a 19-day circuit of Antarctica and the Falkland Islands that allowed passengers to observe penguins, whales, and other forms of local wildlife.