A luxury cruise ship carrying 206 passengers and crew has been stuck in Greenland since Monday, when a voyage to explore rugged glacial terrain ran aground in an area advertised as the largest and northernmost national park in the world.
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Authorities were notified Monday afternoon local time that the ship ran around in the Alpefjord in Northeast Greenland National Park, known for picturesque glaciers, icebergs and muskoxen that roam the coast. The Joint Arctic Command, part of Danish defense forces, said in a statement there have been no injuries aboard the Ocean Explorer and the incident does not pose a threat to the environment.
However, authorities have scrambled to find solutions to free the cruise ship from its post, including contacting nearby ships and dispatching local units. In Tuesday’s statement, the Arctic Command said its closest vessel would not be able to reach the stranded cruise until Friday.
“There is a long way for immediate help, our units are far from that and the weather can be very unfavorable,” Captain Brian Jensen of the Arctic Command said in the statement, which was translated into English on Facebook. “Of course, we are following the situation closely and take this incident very seriously,” Jensen added.
On Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported that a fishing vessel owned by the Greenland government will attempt to use a high tide to pull the Bahamas-flagged cruise ship from its current position, a remote area of Danish territory. The scientific fishing vessel is scheduled to arrive Wednesday and will attempt to free the ship once conditions are right, AP reported.
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The Arctic Command also dispatched the Knud Rasmussen, a patrol vessel operated by the Royal Danish Navy, shortly after the incident was reported. That ship must travel nearly 1,400 miles to reach the ship, authorities said.
“No matter what, the most important thing for us is that everyone arrives safe,” Jensen said.
The Arctic Command said it had also contacted a nearby cruise ship that is located near the Ocean Explorer for potential help.
The Bahamas-flagged Ocean Explorer is owned and operated by Australian-based Aurora Expeditions. The ship is designed for travel to remote destinations across the world, according to the company’s website. The company told AP in a statement its passengers and crew were not in danger, and ensuring a safe recovery was its “foremost commitment.”
The Washington Post was not able to reach Danish authorities at the time of publication.
Travel better with news, tips and guides that make you feel like a local wherever you go. In your inbox, Thursdays.
Authorities were notified Monday afternoon local time that the ship ran around in the Alpefjord in Northeast Greenland National Park, known for picturesque glaciers, icebergs and muskoxen that roam the coast. The Joint Arctic Command, part of Danish defense forces, said in a statement there have been no injuries aboard the Ocean Explorer and the incident does not pose a threat to the environment.
However, authorities have scrambled to find solutions to free the cruise ship from its post, including contacting nearby ships and dispatching local units. In Tuesday’s statement, the Arctic Command said its closest vessel would not be able to reach the stranded cruise until Friday.
“There is a long way for immediate help, our units are far from that and the weather can be very unfavorable,” Captain Brian Jensen of the Arctic Command said in the statement, which was translated into English on Facebook. “Of course, we are following the situation closely and take this incident very seriously,” Jensen added.
On Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported that a fishing vessel owned by the Greenland government will attempt to use a high tide to pull the Bahamas-flagged cruise ship from its current position, a remote area of Danish territory. The scientific fishing vessel is scheduled to arrive Wednesday and will attempt to free the ship once conditions are right, AP reported.
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The Arctic Command also dispatched the Knud Rasmussen, a patrol vessel operated by the Royal Danish Navy, shortly after the incident was reported. That ship must travel nearly 1,400 miles to reach the ship, authorities said.
“No matter what, the most important thing for us is that everyone arrives safe,” Jensen said.
The Arctic Command said it had also contacted a nearby cruise ship that is located near the Ocean Explorer for potential help.
The Bahamas-flagged Ocean Explorer is owned and operated by Australian-based Aurora Expeditions. The ship is designed for travel to remote destinations across the world, according to the company’s website. The company told AP in a statement its passengers and crew were not in danger, and ensuring a safe recovery was its “foremost commitment.”
The Washington Post was not able to reach Danish authorities at the time of publication.
