Thread: Cruise ship with 100 tourists stuck in Antarctica

MOSCOW–

A Russian shipping company says one of its cruise ships carrying over 100 tourists, scientists and journalists is stuck in the ice around Antarctica.

German Kuzin of the Fareastern Shipping Company says the Captain Khlebnikov icebreaker and the tourists onboard aren't in any danger.

He told Russia's Vesti 24 television on Tuesday that the ship is waiting for a stronger wind to try to begin moving again. He said the icebreaker is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from clear water.
Kuzin said the tourists are using the unplanned stop to tour the surrounding area. Russian news agencies say a BBC camera crew is among the passengers.

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That is one place I would not like to be stuck! So cold! And windy!

I hope they can get moving again soon.

UPDATE:

A Russian icebreaker carrying over 100 tourists and scientists to see emperor penguins in Antarctica has been crunching through pack ice and should reach clear water soon, a shipping official said Wednesday.

The Captain Khlebnikov icebreaker has been struggling to free itself from heavy sea ice near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea. It was supposed to return to Ushuaia, Argentina, two days ago but now is not expected until this weekend at the earliest.

Officials have said the people onboard weren't in any danger and were using the unplanned stop to take helicopter tours of the area. Snow Hill Island lies off the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, which juts up toward South America.

FMI: see link above.

That's making lemonade out of lemons! I wonder if those helicopter tours are "free" since the passengers are onboard for longer than planned?

Wonder what the passengers for the next cruise, which is delayed by days, are doing?

My worst nightmare, COLDAt least they have heat.

The article in Tim's UPDATE link tells a bit more.....the ship has 2 helicopters on board!

Two-week Antarctic tours aboard the Captain Khlebnikov range from $13,890 (euro9,350) to $22,690 (euro15,280) per person. The Finnish-built icebreaker has been used as a cruise ship for several years and carries two helicopters.

At least they're stuck on a ship very well suited for that sort of thing ....

I'd want my "free helicoptor tour" to be taking me to back to Argentina!