Scientists at the Universit´e de Lyon have found new answers to a phenomenon called "Dead Water". No this not refer to the newly released WWII movie of the same name, rather it's a term for the effect seen when a vessel moves through water consisting of two or more layers with different salinity. This problem is typically seen when runoff from a melting glacier forms a … [Read more...]
The Spirit of Shacketon – Aboard the M/S Explorer
The Spirit of Shacketon - Aboard the M/S Explorer by Michael Morrissey On 11 November 2007 Sola and I departed from Ushuaia, Argentina aboard the M/S Explorer on a cruise meant to follow in the wake of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Endeavor. Little did we know how closely we would follow Sir Ernest. The first time I went to Antarctica was in 2004. I had a few free days … [Read more...]
Antarctic Eco-Tourism – Yet Another Close Call
Just over a month since the "little red ship" M/V Expoloer sunk in icy antarctic waters a second "Eco"-tourism cruise ship has hit an iceberg. Global-National tells us: BUENOS AIRES — A Norwegian cruise ship with more than 300 people on board struck an iceberg as it drifted in the waters of Antarctica after an engine failure, Argentine officials said today. The MS … [Read more...]
Cruise Ship Explorer Antarctic Abandonment – Update
David Hindin, a gCaptain reader from the San Francisco Bay Area pointed us to this image and audio file from the New York Times. They tell us; A small, historic cruise ship with an imperfect security record was listing dangerously after it struck ice in Antarctic waters today, with 154 passengers and crew members evacuated in a flotilla of lifeboats and inflatable boats, the … [Read more...]
Abandoning Ship in Icey Waters – Breaking News
(Note: We made an error, the above photo is of the EXPLORER II) In breaking news the BBC tells us; More than 150 tourists and crew have been rescued off Argentina from an expedition ship, after it hit ice. The M/S Explorer began listing close to King George Island in the Antarctic Ocean, near the South Shetland Islands. Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns … [Read more...]