If you had been pondering that an “adventure cruise” to Antarctic waters might be enjoyable, you simply would possibly need to rethink.
U.S. Coast Guard Activities Europe, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and worldwide flag administrations are investigating marine casualties involving the dying or harm of U.S. residents on foreign-flagged passenger vessels in Antarctic waters between Nov. 15 and Dec. 1, 2022. In that brief time span, there have been 4 U.S. cruise passenger fatalities and a number of other accidents within the area.
The investigations embrace:
Two U.S. residents died when an inflatable boat from the Portuguese-flagged passenger vessel, World Explorer, capsized with six passengers aboard close to Elephant Island, Antarctica. Portugal is the lead investigative state, and the Coast Guard is conducting a marine casualty investigation as a considerably state with NTSB help.
A U.S. citizen was injured when an inflatable boat from the Norwegian-flagged passenger vessel, Viking Polaris, sustained a keel-bladder failure close to Damoy Point, Antarctica. Norway is the lead investigative state, and the Coast Guard is conducting a marine casualty investigation as a considerably state with NTSB help.
One U.S. citizen died, and 4 others had been injured when the Viking Polaris was struck by a big wave within the Drake Passage whereas transiting to Ushuaia, Argentina. Norway is the lead investigative state, and the Coast Guard is conducting a marine casualty investigation as a considerably state with NTSB help.
A U.S. citizen aboard the Netherlands-flagged passenger vessel Plancius died from an harm sustained aboard the vessel. The Coast Guard is conducting a marine casualty investigation in coordination with officers from the Netherlands and the Falkland Islands.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of those impacted by these tragedies,” mentioned Capt. Gretchen Bailey, Coast Guard Activities Europe commanding officer. “The safety of U.S. passengers aboard ships throughout the globe is a priority for the U.S. Coast Guard. We are proud to work alongside the NTSB and our international partners to investigate these incidents and make meaningful safety improvements for worldwide passenger vessel operations, especially in unique high-risk environments like the Antarctic.”
The United States will take part and help within the World Explorer and Viking Polaris investigations as a considerably state in accordance with International Maritime Organization protocols and Coast Guard coverage. In response to the incidents, the Coast Guard, NTSB and the lead investigative states deployed groups to Ushuaia, Argentina to start thorough security investigations with the purpose of enhancing marine security and stopping comparable tragic incidents.
If the general public has any details about these incidents, please contact ACTEURInvestigations@uscg.mil.
