For days, 206 passengers and crew members were stuck on the “Ocean Explorer” off Greenland – 240 kilometers from the nearest settlement. The cruise ship could now be towed free. The people on board are apparently fine.
The cruise ship “Ocean Explorer” that ran aground off Greenland is free again. This was announced by the owner Sunstone Ships and the Danish Arctic Command, a unit of the Danish military. A Greenlandic research vessel towed the 104 meter long and 18 meter wide “Ocean Explorer” free at high tide. The cruise ship also used its own engine to help. This is the fourth rescue attempt, the previous three failed.
There were no injuries or environmental damage, it said. Additional tractors would no longer be needed. The “Ocean Explorer” should now go to a port and be inspected for damage. The passengers could fly home. There are a total of 206 passengers and crew members on board.
The nearest settlement is 240 kilometers away
The cruise ship ran aground on Monday north of the Arctic Circle in the Alpefjord, which is part of the world’s northernmost national park. The park is almost as large as France and Spain combined and around 80 percent is constantly covered by ice. The nearest settlement Ittoqqortoormiit is about 240 kilometers away. From there it is 1,400 kilometers to the capital Nuuk.
It is apparently still unclear why the cruise ship ran aground, and the Australian operating company Aurora Expeditions did not provide any information. The area in which the ship got stuck has remained little explored to this day.
At least three people infected with Corona on board
Cruise operator Aurora Expeditions said the passengers were doing well. However, at least three passengers were found to be infected with corona. They are in isolation and are being looked after by the on-board doctor and his team. They were fine, they said. All other passengers are healthy.
The Bahamas-flagged “MV Ocean Explorer” has passengers from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Great Britain and the USA on board. The ship has 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds and 99 crew beds, as well as several restaurants.