MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

New Antarctica record for a cruise vessel

The World is currently undertaking a 22-day expedition of the Ross Sea, including 12 days in Antarctica assisted by EYOS Expeditions led by Rob McCallum.

The residential ship, The World, has broken the record for the most southerly navigation reaching 78°43•997´S and 163°41•421´W at the Bay of Whales in Antarctica’s Ross Sea. The World recorded this polar record at 10:41hrs ship’s time on Saturday. Commanded by Captain Dag H. Saevik this is the furthest south any vessel has ever sailed.

 The World is currently undertaking a 22-day expedition of the Ross Sea, including 12 days in Antarctica assisted by EYOS Expeditions led by Rob McCallum.

Commenting on achieving a new record, Captain Saevik said, 'When we designed this remarkable expedition to the Ross Sea with our residents, that has taken two years of preparation, we hoped that with the right conditions we might be able to reach the ice shelf and set a new record for the most southerly navigation'.

The voyage more than 5,000 nautical miles has taken us to the most isolated area of the world, he added.

'Explorers like Amundsen, Shackleton and Scott have always been driven to explore the furthest boundaries. However, not many people get to travel to the end of the earth from their own home,' remarked Captain Saevik.

Few vessels have made the journey to this remote part of Antarctica. In February 2016, Heritage Expeditions’ polar-class expedition vessel Akademik Shokalskiy reported reaching 78°43.971’S.

- Photo by Andrew Peacock