Recent incidents and sightings involving yachts in Antarctic waters have generated considerable interest and concern among the members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Norwegian rogue yachtsman Jarle Andhøy, 34, along with four other crew members on the 54-foot yacht steel yacht Nilaya - who were arrested last week by the Chilean Navy - are being held at the Chilean Naval base in Puerto Williams, after apparently after giving a false name for the vessel when hailed by the Chilean Navy according to press reports from Chile and New Zealand over the weekend.
According to press reports from Norway and New Zealand over the weekend, the 54-foot yacht steel yacht Nilaya is reported to be sailing off Antarctica with a broken boom and is heading for an unspecified Argentine Antarctic base to carry out emergency repairs and to refuel.
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators, (IAATO) in a statement released Thursday called the incident of the Norwegian yacht Berserk that went missing in Antarctic waters last week ‘tragic’ but also underlines the vessel did not have proper authorization or permits for their expedition and fully supports Norwegian prosecuting authorities for their investigation into the case.