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Antarctic cruise ship evacuated Antarctic cruise ship evacuated
(10 minutes later)
More than 150 tourists and crew have been rescued off Argentina from an expedition ship, after it hit ice. 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.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 it was informed at 0524 GMT on Friday of the incident involving the 2,400-tonne vessel.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.
Graphic: Key facts about MV ExplorerGraphic: Key facts about MV Explorer
It ran into trouble approximately 120 km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.It ran into trouble approximately 120 km (75 miles) north of the Antarctic Peninsula.
'Fist-sized crack''Fist-sized crack'
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.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 until everyone was evacuated.The captain and the chief officer remained on board until everyone was evacuated.
Ms Hayes said the ship was taking on water and that pumps were being used to stop the ship, which had an eight-degree list, from sinking.Ms Hayes said the ship was taking on water and that pumps were being used to stop the ship, which had an eight-degree list, from sinking.
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.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.
The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the US Coastguard in Norfolk, Virginia, with the authorities in Ushuaia.The rescue operation was co-ordinated by the US Coastguard in Norfolk, Virginia, with the authorities in Ushuaia.
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
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