Ocean Explorer aground in Greenland [Ship Freed 9/14]

[voyageur9]

If the picture is anywhere near high tide, this vessel is likely very hard aground. The bow is several feet above the normal water line. Help is a long way away. The perils (and rewards) of cruising in high latitudes with (often) poorly charted areas

 

https://gcaptain.com/expedition-cruise-ship-ocean-explorer-aground-in-greenland/

[hallasm]

The Ocean Explorer has 206 people on board and ran aground in Alpefjord near Mestersvig in East Greenland on Monday afternoon. The ship cannot free itself.
The Danish Arctic Command has sent the nearest inspection vessel, Knud Rasmussen, towards the cruise ship, the passengers must arm themselves with patience before help arrives - the inspection vessel must travel 1,200 nautical miles, which corresponds to more than 2,200 kilometers on the open sea, before Knud Rasmussen can arrive  to the rescue.
The vessel can arrive at the ship on Friday morning local time at the earliest.

[voyageur9]

The Knud Ramussen is a relatively small Danish naval patrol vessel. It is not designed for towing or salvage. At roughly 2,000 tonnes it's about one-quarter the weight and two-thirds the length of the Ocean Explorer. It might be able to dis-embark the passengers but it would be a rather uncomfortable journey. Current crew size is 18 with berths for 43.

 

Edited September 12, 2023 by voyageur9
typos

[hallasm]

The Danish Arctic Command has contacted another cruise ship which is in the vicinity of the Ocean Explorer. The ship has been asked to remain in the area around the grounded expedition ship so that it can assist if necessary.
The Icelandic coast guard may also be involved in the rescue operation.

[voyageur9]

thanks hallsam, ... are you aware of the identity of the second cruise ship. Marine Traffic has one some distance away but it's only identified to satellite service subscribers. 

[richwmn]

The nearest ship is

Silver Endeavour (252 pax)

 

the following ships are a little further out (100 miles +)
MV Hondius
SV Rembrandt van Rijn
MV Polar Pioneer
Ocean Adventurer
MV Sea Spirit

 

This ship is even further out (over 300 miles)

MS Maud (972 pax)

Edited September 12, 2023 by richwmn

[Host Jazzbeau]

New article on TravelWeekly:

Ocean Explorer expedition ship runs aground in Greenland

[hallasm]

The Danish defense arctic special force, Sirius, has had personnel on board the cruise ship Ocean Explorer, which is still grounded.
Sirius reports that both passengers and crew on board are safe. Should the need arise, Sirius can be at the Ocean Explorer within an hour and a half. There is no news yet on plans to have the ship pulled free.

This is according to Denmark's Arctic Command.

[highplanesdrifters]

Scant info about tides in Alpefjord on the internet.  If the chart below us correct only a 6 foot swing.  The longer she sits and goes through tidal swings the more the silt will suck her in.

 

That arm in Aplefjord is not often traveled. Lots of risks being taken by these Captains on new ships. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Latest (45 min ago) update from MarineLog:

Attempts to free grounded Ocean Explorer remain unsuccessful

[Tom47]

According to NBC news, there is a Covid case on board the ship.

[Jacqueline]

There is bound to be COVID. It’s everywhere now.

I would agree with the earlier poster that the explosion in expedition cruising with new ships and captains new to the routes likely play a role.

Last season there was the fatality on the new Viking ship in Antarctica.

when we did that route we picked the ship that had done that route 100 times with a similarly experienced crew.

It’s no joke.

[NSWP]

Media here in Australia reports 90 of the pax are Aussies.  Also reporting several cases of Covid on board.  There are 6 vessels of this type now active, operated by various companies.

 

Best wishes to all on board.

[hallasm]

It is a serious problem with the many cruise ships at Greenland with long distances and limited resources.
There are 600 reported cruise visits to Greenland this year, compared to 400 last year.
Each ship with more passengers than most cities in Greenland.
Denmark's Arctic Command does not have the necessary resources to move out quickly. There are long distances. It can take days to reach distressed ships from the sea side. Faster with helicopter, but very small capacity.
It is Arctic Command's task to assist if a passenger becomes so ill that he or she must be transported to a hospital ashore. So far this year, there have been five cases of evacuation by helicopter or boat.
And the capacity for a rescue operation of a cruise ship with 4-6,000 passengers is not present if a major accident occurred.

[ilikeanswers]

Interview with people on board:

 

Sydney couple stuck on luxury cruise ship as COVID cases reported

 

Sounds like they are in good spirits. 

[hallasm]

2 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

Interview with people on board:

You’re linking to an article behind a payment firewall. Cannot access the article. 

[puppycanducruise]

Good luck to all on board.

[hallasm]

It is reported that Ocean Explorer pulled free early this morning in Alpefjord in East Greenland.
It was done on a pull from the vessel TARAJOQ (Greenland research vessel) and Ocean Explorer's own power.

 

The ship will now sail to a port where the damage to the bottom of the ship can be assessed and the passengers will be taken to a port from where they can be flown home.

Edited September 14, 2023 by hallasm

[ilikeanswers]

13 hours ago, hallasm said:

You’re linking to an article behind a payment firewall. Cannot access the article. 

 

That is odd. There should not be a paywall🤔. Maybe I linked it wrong? 

 

Second attempt though I suppose it is old news now 😂:

 

Sydney couple stuck on luxury cruise ship as COVID cases reported

[hallasm]

5 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

Maybe I linked it wrong? 

Thank you for providing the correct link. now it’s fine.