A cruise ship "purpose-built for expedition travel to the world's most remote destinations," the Ocean Explorer voyage has been hailed for its "cutting-edge technology" and "navigation capabilities."
However, on Tuesday, it capsized in a park in northeastern Greenland, as reported by CBS News.
In a Remote Area
The world's largest national park, Northeast Greenland National Park, contains Alpefjord, according to the Joint Arctic Command, where the ship grounded on Tuesday. Because of its sparse annual precipitation, the distant region is referred to as an "Arctic Desert" by the Greenland travel website Visit Greenland.
According to the Greenland tourist board, the Northeast Greenland National Park is so distant that only a small number of people have the opportunity to visit each year. In contrast, more people climb Mount Everest each year than visit the park.
The ship had no damage that posed a threat to the environment. Arctic Command Commander Capt. Brian Jensen said in a statement that "a cruise ship in trouble in the National Park is of course worrisome," adding that the units available to assist were unable to do so right away and that the weather in the area can be "unfavorable."
If the weather holds, the closest ship that can assist the ship can arrive no earlier than Friday morning, according to the command. However, officials said they were in contact with another cruise ship to be on standby should they be required.
The cruise liner remained aground as of Wednesday AM Eastern time, according to officials.
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The Ocean Explorer
The Ocean Explorer is a member of the "award-winning Infinity-class of vessels," according to Aurora Expeditions, which provides excursions aboard the ship. It can hold 134 expeditioners, according to the company. According to the Joint Arctic Command, there were 206 persons aboard the ship when it was discovered.
The Ocean Explorer, completed in 2021, can carry passengers to "some of the most wild and remote destinations on the planet," according to Aurora Expeditions.
With "state-of-the-art amenities," such as an onboard gym, jacuzzi, lounges, a spa, an atrium, a library, and more, the ship was built with luxury in mind.
The situation is still "difficult," according to officials, but they have "gained assurance that the crew and passengers of Ocean Explorer are in good condition," according to a translation.
The cruise ship is spending the summer providing excursion tours to various areas of the Arctic, taking the place of the Greg Mortimer, which is presently receiving repairs in France.
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