Yesterday I posted about the Antarctic cruise ship the M/V Ocean Nova running aground in Marguerite Bay with 106 passengers and crew on board. The last we heard the ship was waiting for high tide to come in to free her from the rocks, and allow her to hit the open waters once again.
Both Quark Expeditions, the company operating the Ocean Nova and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) have posted updates today stating that the ship has successfully floated out with the high tide and is now making its way back to Ushuaia in Argentina for inspection before the resumption of service. You can read Quark's updates here and the IAATO's here.
Preliminary indications are that the ship has suffered no damage and is not leaking fuel or any other substances. Divers inspected the vessel and took video, which was then reviewed throughly before the ship left Marguerite Bay. It is now believed that the Ocean Nova will return to service in a matter of days.
Yesterday all the passengers on board the ship were transferred to a second vessel, the M/V Adventure Clipper and are now en route back to Ushuaia as well. They are all reportedly in good spirits and fine health, and enjoying the last part of the journey. Normal activities continue on board the ship, and according to some accounts one of the passengers proposed to his girlfriend. I'm assuming she accepted. I mean, how much worse can it get at this point? ;)
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