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Stricken Antarctic ship evacuated Stricken Antarctic ship evacuated
(20 minutes later)
More than 150 passengers and crew have been rescued from a stricken tourist ship after it hit ice off Antarctica.More than 150 passengers and crew have been rescued from a stricken tourist ship after it hit ice off Antarctica.
The M/S Explorer is now lying on its side close to the South Shetland Islands, in the Antarctic Ocean.The M/S Explorer is now lying on its side close to the South Shetland Islands, in the Antarctic Ocean.
Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said 91 passengers, nine guides and 54 crew members were safely evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship.Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said 91 passengers, nine guides and 54 crew members were safely evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship.
The company said 23 Britons, 17 Dutch, 10 Australians, 13 Americans and 10 Canadians were among the 154 on board.The company said 23 Britons, 17 Dutch, 10 Australians, 13 Americans and 10 Canadians were among the 154 on board.
The remaining nationalities of the rescued tourists are Irish, Danish, Swiss, Belgian, Japanese, French, German and Chinese, said the Toronto-based tour company.The remaining nationalities of the rescued tourists are Irish, Danish, Swiss, Belgian, Japanese, French, German and Chinese, said the Toronto-based tour company.
Graphic: Key facts about M/S ExplorerGraphic: Key facts about M/S Explorer
There was confusion earlier over crew and passenger numbers due to uncertainty at Gap Adventures.There was confusion earlier over crew and passenger numbers due to uncertainty at Gap Adventures.
Following the news of the incident, the specialist Lloyds List maritime publication said the 2,400-tonne Explorer had five faults at its last inspection.Following the news of the incident, the specialist Lloyds List maritime publication said the 2,400-tonne Explorer had five faults at its last inspection.
We were passing through ice as usual but this time something hit the hold and we got a little leakage downstairs Peter Svenssonfirst officer Worldwide rescue hub In pictures: Ship rescue Lure of polar extremesWe were passing through ice as usual but this time something hit the hold and we got a little leakage downstairs Peter Svenssonfirst officer Worldwide rescue hub In pictures: Ship rescue Lure of polar extremes
However, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), whose inspectors found the faults, said that they had all been rectified by the time the ship set sail again.However, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), whose inspectors found the faults, said that they had all been rectified by the time the ship set sail again.
"These were not huge problems and were all rectified before the vessel sailed. It would not have been allowed to depart if everything had not been sorted out," MCA spokesman Mark Clarke told PA news."These were not huge problems and were all rectified before the vessel sailed. It would not have been allowed to depart if everything had not been sorted out," MCA spokesman Mark Clarke told PA news.
All passengers and crew were transferred to a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge.All passengers and crew were transferred to a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge.
'In good spirits''In good spirits'
The passengers are going to stay overnight at a Chilean air force base on King George Island, before being transferred tomorrow for flights home, said Gap Adventures. The passengers were going to stay overnight at a Chilean air force base on King George Island, before being transferred on Saturday for flights home, said Gap Adventures.
"They are all in good spirits," company spokeswoman Marie Anne MacRae told the BBC News website."They are all in good spirits," company spokeswoman Marie Anne MacRae told the BBC News website.
Paola Palavecino, an ornithologist onboard the rescue ship, the Nord Norge, told the BBC that four of those rescued had suffered moderate hypothermia, but that they were all fine now, having eaten and been given additional warm clothes: Paola Palavecino, an ornithologist onboard the rescue ship, the Nordnorge, told the BBC that four of those rescued had suffered moderate hypothermia, but that they were all fine now, having eaten and been given additional warm clothes:
"They have been in touch with their families, in the different countries and they're waiting to arrive in the Chilean base Frei to take a flight tomorrow to Punta Arenas," she added."They have been in touch with their families, in the different countries and they're waiting to arrive in the Chilean base Frei to take a flight tomorrow to Punta Arenas," she added.
The group had embarked from Ushuaia, on Argentina's southern tip, on 11 November for a 19-day "Spirit of Shackleton" cruise through the Drake Passage.The group had embarked from Ushuaia, on Argentina's southern tip, on 11 November for a 19-day "Spirit of Shackleton" cruise through the Drake Passage.
The captain and the first officer abandoned the Liberian-registered Explorer after initially remaining on board to pump water.The captain and the first officer abandoned the Liberian-registered Explorer after initially remaining on board to pump water.
First officer Peter Svensson told Reuters: "We were passing through ice as usual. But this time something hit the hold and we got a little leakage downstairs.First officer Peter Svensson told Reuters: "We were passing through ice as usual. But this time something hit the hold and we got a little leakage downstairs.
"No one was hysterical, they were just sitting there nice and quiet, because we knew there were ships coming.""No one was hysterical, they were just sitting there nice and quiet, because we knew there were ships coming."
'Deficiencies''Deficiencies'
According to a report on Lloyds List's website, the Explorer was found to have five "deficiencies" at an inspection in May at Greenock, Scotland, by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).According to a report on Lloyds List's website, the Explorer was found to have five "deficiencies" at an inspection in May at Greenock, Scotland, by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Watertight doors were described as "not as required", while lifeboat maintenance problems and missing search and rescue plans were also noted.Watertight doors were described as "not as required", while lifeboat maintenance problems and missing search and rescue plans were also noted.
The hull has a hole the size of a fist and the outlook is not so positive for the ship at the moment Susan Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Gap AdventuresThe hull has a hole the size of a fist and the outlook is not so positive for the ship at the moment Susan Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Gap Adventures
Chilean port inspectors also found six deficiencies during an inspection in Puerto Natales in March, including two related to navigation matters, said Lloyds List.Chilean port inspectors also found six deficiencies during an inspection in Puerto Natales in March, including two related to navigation matters, said Lloyds List.
Gap Adventures said the Explorer was passed as fit for sea by inspectors in October this year at a dry dock before their tourist season began.Gap Adventures said the Explorer was passed as fit for sea by inspectors in October this year at a dry dock before their tourist season began.
The MCA said it became aware at 0524 GMT on Friday that the expedition ship was in distress near King George Island.The MCA said it became aware at 0524 GMT on Friday that the expedition ship was in distress near King George Island.
It ran into trouble approximately 120km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.It ran into trouble approximately 120km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Susan Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Gap Adventures, said: "The hull has a hole the size of a fist and the outlook is not so positive for the ship at the moment."Susan Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Gap Adventures, said: "The hull has a hole the size of a fist and the outlook is not so positive for the ship at the moment."
The company said the pumps had been used in an effort to stop the ship sinking. But the vessel is now lying on one side, with its hull exposed.The company said the pumps had been used in an effort to stop the ship sinking. But the vessel is now lying on one side, with its hull exposed.
The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Ushuaia coastguard.The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the Ushuaia coastguard.
Prices for the 19-day tour start from around $8,000 (£3,900) per cabin.Prices for the 19-day tour start from around $8,000 (£3,900) per cabin.
Gap Adventures said that before Friday's incident, the tour group had visited the Falkland Islands to spot black-browed albatrosses, before going to South Georgia to see Shackleton's grave and the king penguin colonies.Gap Adventures said that before Friday's incident, the tour group had visited the Falkland Islands to spot black-browed albatrosses, before going to South Georgia to see Shackleton's grave and the king penguin colonies.
Coastguards said the weather conditions were good for this time of year, though the average temperature is still -5C.Coastguards said the weather conditions were good for this time of year, though the average temperature is still -5C.
M/S 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 aficionadosBecame the first passenger vessel to navigate the North West passage in 1984Involved in rescue of crew from Argentine cargo vessel off Anvers Island, Antarctica, in 1989M/S 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 aficionadosBecame the first passenger vessel to navigate the North West passage in 1984Involved in rescue of crew from Argentine cargo vessel off Anvers Island, Antarctica, in 1989
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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.
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.
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