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Norwegian cruise stranded in Antarctic
2007-01-31
Nearly 300 passengers, including 113 Americans, were awaiting rescue Wednesday from a Norwegian cruise ship that ran aground off a remote Antarctic island, damaging its hull. The M/S Nordkapp got off the rocks under her own steam and sought shelter in a nearby harbor, where it was awaiting the arrival later Wednesday of another Norwegian Coastal Voyage ship, the M/S Nordnorge, the cruise operator said in a statement. The company said no one was hurt in Tuesday's mishap in the Southern Ocean and the Nordkapp was not in danger. "The ship is now at anchor in Walker Bay, and is being met by M/S Nordnorge," said Hanne K. Kristiansen, a spokeswoman for Norwegian Coastal Voyage. The 294 passengers were to be transferred to the sister ship using tenders from the two ships, small boats usually reserved for excursions. The Nordnorge would then take the passengers on to Argentina. The 404-foot Nordkapp, built in 1996, and the virtually identical Nordnorge cruise the Antarctic during the southern hemisphere summer. They sail off the coast of Norway during the European summer. The company said the ship was on its way back to Argentina when it ran aground near Deception Island, which is part of the South Shetland archipelago. The statement said a British warship was also meeting the Nordkapp, and would send down divers to inspect the damage to its hull and then escort the ship to port in Argentina. Kristiansen said the Nordkapp was not taking in water, but that the passengers were being taken off as a precaution. As soon as the tourists are aboard the Nordnorge, it will depart for Ushuaia, Argentina, a roughly 40-hour trip. ___ On the Net: http://www.hurtigruten.com
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