Topic: Passengers rescued from Arctic cruise ship crash

More than 100 passengers and crew have been evacuated after a cruise ship struck an uncharted rock in the Arctic Ocean over the weekend.

The crash occurred on Friday as the ship Clipper Adventurer set out from Kugluktuk, Nunavut for a 12-day voyage through the Northwest Passage.

Fortunately, none of the 110 tourists onboard were injured, but it took two whole days before for a Canadian coast guard icebreaker arrived at the scene to evacuate passengers.

Calls have since been made for Canada to improve its search and rescue operation in the far north.

It was reported that charts indicated a depth of 68 metres (220 feet) where the ship ran aground.

A system of partitions and secure hatches on the ship would have prevented it from sinking and the crew pumped out the water that did leak in.

The grounded vessel is stable, but rests with a slight list - it is due to be towed back to port in due course.

The company that chartered the ship said that while the passengers were stranded, they were still able to enjoy ship-board programmes, and some even sunbathed on deck.

QUOTE:

More than 100 passengers and crew have been evacuated after a cruise ship struck an uncharted rock in the Arctic Ocean over the weekend.

The crash occurred on Friday as the ship Clipper Adventurer set out from Kugluktuk, Nunavut for a 12-day voyage through the Northwest Passage.

Fortunately, none of the 110 tourists onboard were injured, but it took two whole days before for a Canadian coast guard icebreaker arrived at the scene to evacuate passengers.

Calls have since been made for Canada to improve its search and rescue operation in the far north.

It was reported that charts indicated a depth of 68 metres (220 feet) where the ship ran aground.

A system of partitions and secure hatches on the ship would have prevented it from sinking and the crew pumped out the water that did leak in.

The grounded vessel is stable, but rests with a slight list - it is due to be towed back to port in due course.

The company that chartered the ship said that while the passengers were stranded, they were still able to enjoy ship-board programmes, and some even sunbathed on deck.

Hi ,
received a report from a Canadian source that the ship had actually sailed from Port hepworth(formally known as Coppermine) bound to KugLuktuk where she was due to do a passenger exchange then sail for the North west passage.

regards
jim

Not a good place to run aground I wonder if there has been some movement in the seabed perhaps a volcano slowly bulging up

I have some more old charts for sale if anyone needs one :D

QUOTE:

Not a good place to run aground I wonder if there has been some movement in the seabed perhaps a volcano slowly bulging up

I have some more old charts for sale if anyone needs one :D

Coronation gulf is notorious for its islotated dangers and unreliable charts and on the south side of the gulf the only soundings are from "ship tracks,which can be very unreliable.
These ships usually have a very experienced master and a ice pilot but it is usually the expedition master who works for the ships charterer who usually plans the route.

jim

Don't they have sonar to estimate depth?

QUOTE:

Don't they have sonar to estimate depth?

YES,BUT depth sounders only tell you what you have gone over.

jim

QUOTE:

YES,BUT depth sounders only tell you what you have gone over.

jim

I wonder if they were keeping a proper watch lets face it she is an older ship not very high tech

QUOTE:

I wonder if they were keeping a proper watch lets face it she is an older ship not very high tech

I dont think so, that southern part of the Coronation gulf has not been surveyed/charted by the CANADIAN AUTHORITIES AS IT HAS NO COMMERCIAL WORTH AND IS ONLY USED BY EXPEDITION SHIPS,the only soundings have come from ships which have in the past transited the area and had their echo sounder running(so called ship tracks)so even with an experienced master and ice pilot they would have had no prior notice of what lay under them.

jim

QUOTE:

I dont think so, that southern part of the Coronation gulf has not been survayed/charted by the CANADIAN AUTHORITIES AS IT HAS NO COMMERCIAL WORTH AND IS ONLY USED BY EXPEDITION SHIPS,the only soundings have come from ships which have in the past transited the area and had their echo sounder running(so called ship tracks)so even with an experienced master and ice pilot they would have had no prior notice of what lay under them.

jim

Just looked it up

You are right no Admiralty charts

QUOTE:

More than 100 passengers and crew have been evacuated after a cruise ship struck an uncharted rock in the Arctic Ocean over the weekend.

The crash occurred on Friday as the ship Clipper Adventurer set out from Kugluktuk, Nunavut for a 12-day voyage through the Northwest Passage.

Fortunately, none of the 110 tourists onboard were injured, but it took two whole days before for a Canadian coast guard icebreaker arrived at the scene to evacuate passengers.

Calls have since been made for Canada to improve its search and rescue operation in the far north.

It was reported that charts indicated a depth of 68 metres (220 feet) where the ship ran aground.

A system of partitions and secure hatches on the ship would have prevented it from sinking and the crew pumped out the water that did leak in.

The grounded vessel is stable, but rests with a slight list - it is due to be towed back to port in due course.

The company that chartered the ship said that while the passengers were stranded, they were still able to enjoy ship-board programmes, and some even sunbathed on deck.

I loved this report, all aground but the show is still on, bar is open and dinner due to be served. That's Cruising on an adventure cruise. Superb. I looked in askance at the criticism of the Canadian Authorities. There is a lot of sea space there and the rescue ship or ships could have been anywhere. There will always be someone expecting instant rescue, it is not always possible of course. Well done the crew to keep everyone entertained and worry free.
Tara,
Alan