On Thursday, the luxury cruise ship operator, responsible for the MV Ocean Explorer, which had 206 people on board and ran aground in Greenland, announced that the vessel had been successfully freed during high tide by a fisheries research vessel, reported AP. The ship’s owner, SunStone Ships, based in Copenhagen, stated that the operation was carried out through a combined effort involving the Greenland government-owned vessel and the Ocean Explorer’s own power. Remarkably, no injuries were reported among the passengers, no environmental pollution occurred, and the ship’s hull remained intact.
SunStone Ships further disclosed that both the vessel and its passengers would now be relocated to a port where experts could assess the damage to the ship’s bottom. Additionally, passengers would be transported to a suitable departure port for their journey back home.
The incident took place when the cruise ship ran aground above the Arctic Circle in Alpefjord, situated within the Northeast Greenland National Park, which happens to be the world’s northernmost national park. Covering an area almost equivalent to the combined size of France and Spain, approximately 80% of the park is perpetually covered by an ice sheet. Alpefjord itself is situated about 240 kilometers (149 miles) away from the nearest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, which is itself approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) distant from the capital of the country, Nuuk.
The cruise ship, flying the flag of the Bahamas, accommodated passengers from various countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Notably, the vessel features a distinctive inverted bow resembling that of a submarine, boasting 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds, 99 crew beds, and several restaurants.
SunStone Ships further disclosed that both the vessel and its passengers would now be relocated to a port where experts could assess the damage to the ship’s bottom. Additionally, passengers would be transported to a suitable departure port for their journey back home.
The incident took place when the cruise ship ran aground above the Arctic Circle in Alpefjord, situated within the Northeast Greenland National Park, which happens to be the world’s northernmost national park. Covering an area almost equivalent to the combined size of France and Spain, approximately 80% of the park is perpetually covered by an ice sheet. Alpefjord itself is situated about 240 kilometers (149 miles) away from the nearest settlement, Ittoqqortoormiit, which is itself approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) distant from the capital of the country, Nuuk.
The cruise ship, flying the flag of the Bahamas, accommodated passengers from various countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Notably, the vessel features a distinctive inverted bow resembling that of a submarine, boasting 77 cabins, 151 passenger beds, 99 crew beds, and several restaurants.
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