MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Polar Star passengers disembarked in King George Island

The decision was taken following an inspection by divers of the outer hull of the vessel

Polar Star Expeditions reported that following an underwater inspection of the MV Polar Star’s outer hull, it has decided to disembark the ship’s 80 passengers at King George Island in the South Shetland Islands as a precautionary measure before crossing the Drake Passage and returning to Ushuaia, Argentina.

The company is currently arranging alternative transportation for its passengers via other IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tourism Operators) vessels back to Ushuaia, where the MV Polar Star was originally scheduled to return on February 6. The Halifax-based company also announced that the February 6 Antarctica cruise aboard MV Polar Star would be cancelled.

Martin Karlsen, president of Polar Star Expeditions, stated that the double-hulled vessel travelled uneventfully and at normal cruising speed from Detaille Island to the Polish Arctowski Station on King George Island.

The ship arrived on schedule at 0900 local time this morning at Arctowski, where station divers assessed the damage to the outer hull.

Following discussions with the captain and DNV officials – Det Norske Veritas, the MV Polar Star’s classification society – the company made the precautionary decision not to cross the Drake Passage with passengers aboard.

Once passengers have been transferred and temporary repairs made, the ship will proceed to Ushuaia with its 35 officers and crew.

Polar Star Expeditions is notifying relevant maritime rescue coordination centres and Ushuaia port authorities of the new plan.

Karlsen noted that estimated time of arrival of passengers in Ushuaia, and which ships they will be aboard, should be announced in coming hours.