Russian icebreaker Captain Khlebnikov stuck in Antarctic ice with 100 tourists, journalists aboard

November 17, 2009 · Filed Under Current, Lore of the Sea, Ships 

antarctica_cruise-ship

UPDATE 9/20/09:  The Captain Khlebnikov was recently reported to be close to reaching open water and should be free imminently.

At the other end of the world, a Russian icebreaker, the Captain Khlebnikov, serving as a cruise ship with 100 tourists, scientists and journalists aboard,  is stuck in the ice in the Weddell Sea off the coast of Antarctica and will likely remain so until the winds shifts.  The newspaper headlines report that the ship is “trapped” but the situation appears to be more temporary than the headlines suggest.

Russian icebreaker Captain Khlebnikov trapped in Antarctic ice with 100 tourists, journalists aboard

The Captain Khlebnikov icebreaker is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) from clear water near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea, German Kuzin of the Fareastern Shipping Company told Russia’s Vesti 24 television. He said neither the ship nor the passengers faced any risks.

The ship was trying to move slowly through the ice but the winds were too light to break up the ice pack, he said. An Argentine official said the ice would delay the ship’s return by three to six days.

The cruise was advertised as a unique opportunity to watch Emperor Penguins in their natural habitat. The Finnish-built icebreaker has been used as a cruise ship for several years and carries two helicopters.

Natalie Amos, a spokeswoman for holiday tour operator Exodus Travel, said 51 British tourists were among the ship’s 101 passengers.

Paul Goldstein, a guide and photographer with Exodus on the ship, told BBC News that the ship was trying to move.  ”We’re breaking ice,” he said Tuesday. “Obviously there’s frustration, but we’re going to get back perfectly safe.”

He said some people had sunburns but there have been no other complaints.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Comments

Leave a Reply




Video of the Moment

HMS Surprise and Star of India

Also featuring the Californian
and the Lynx

To be notified of blog updates
enter your email address:

  • Viagra ordre
  • Cialis en ligne
  • Levitra en ligne
  • Propecia acheter
  • Viagra acheter
  • Acheter cialis
  • Ordre levitra
  • Ordre propecia
  • En ligne viagra
  • Vente cialis
  • Levitra bon marche
  • Propecia en ligne
  • Viagra online
  • Buy cialis
  • Order Levitra
  • Buy propecia
  • Buy viagra
  • Cheap cialis
  • Cheap Levitra
  • propecia online
  • Viagra prescription
  • Cialis online
  • Buy Levitra
  • Order propecia