This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7108835.stm

The article has changed 30 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Antarctic cruise ship evacuated Antarctic cruise ship evacuated
(30 minutes later)
More than 150 passengers and crew have been rescued from a tourist ship, after it hit ice off Antarctica.More than 150 passengers and crew have been rescued from a tourist ship, after it hit ice off Antarctica.
The M/S Explorer began listing close to King George Island in the Antarctic Ocean, near the South Shetland Islands.The M/S Explorer began listing close to King George Island in the Antarctic Ocean, near the South Shetland Islands.
Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said some 100 passengers and 54 crew members were evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship.Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said some 100 passengers and 54 crew members were evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship.
She said the vessel left Ushuaia on Argentina's southern tip on 11 November on a 19-day trip to the Drake Passage. The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said about 20 Britons were among the evacuated passengers.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it was informed at 0524 GMT on Friday of the incident involving the 2,400-tonne vessel. All the passengers were being transferred to a nearby vessel, the Endeavour, and a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge, said the MCA.
Graphic: Key facts about MV Explorer
It ran into trouble approximately 120 km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
'Fist-sized crack''Fist-sized crack'
The Explorer left Ushuaia on Argentina's southern tip on 11 November for a 19-day trip through the Drake Passage.
The MCA said it was informed at 0524 GMT on Friday of the incident involving the 2,400-tonne vessel.
Graphic: Key facts about MV Explorer
The expedition ship ran into trouble approximately 120km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, told the BBC News website: "The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist.Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, told the BBC News website: "The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist.
"All passengers and crew have been evacuated, they are all accounted for and are safe and well and have been transferred to another vessel.""All passengers and crew have been evacuated, they are all accounted for and are safe and well and have been transferred to another vessel."
Another ship called Antarctic Dream, which was in the area, was diverted to help the rescue.
The captain and the chief officer remained on board while everyone was evacuated.The captain and the chief officer remained on board while everyone was evacuated.
Ms Hayes said the ship was taking on water and that pumps were being used to stop the ship, which she said had an eight-degree list, from sinking. The MCA said the vessel was listing at 25 degrees but the tour company said it was only tilting at eight degrees.
The spokeswoman did not have a passenger list to hand but said most of their customers on the cruise route were typically from Britain, Canada and America. Gap Adventures said the ship was taking on water and that pumps were being used to stop the ship sinking.
The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the US Coastguard in Norfolk, Virginia, with the authorities in Ushuaia. The company's spokeswoman did not have a passenger list to hand but said most of their customers on the cruise route were typically from Britain, Canada and America.
The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Ushuaia coastguard.
The 19-day cruise costs around $11,600 (£5,630), not including international flights.
Coastguards said the weather conditions were good for this time of year.Coastguards said the weather conditions were good for this time of year.
MV EXPLORER Built: 1969, FinlandCapacity: 100 passengersTonnage: 2,400 Cruising speed: 11 knotsEngines: 3,800 hp dieselsCrew: 54 First custom-built expedition shipKnown as the 'Little Red Ship' to afficionadosBecame the first passenger vessel to navigate the North West passage in 1984Involved in rescue of crew from Argentinian cargo vessel off Anvers Island, Antarctica, in 1989MV EXPLORER Built: 1969, FinlandCapacity: 100 passengersTonnage: 2,400 Cruising speed: 11 knotsEngines: 3,800 hp dieselsCrew: 54 First custom-built expedition shipKnown as the 'Little Red Ship' to afficionadosBecame the first passenger vessel to navigate the North West passage in 1984Involved in rescue of crew from Argentinian cargo vessel off Anvers Island, Antarctica, in 1989
Return to the topReturn to the top
Are you in the region, have you been affected by this story? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
Have you been on the Explorer? Do you know someone who may have been on this expedition? Are you involved in rescue operations? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 (0)7725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 (0)7725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
 Name: