Passengers from disabled Antarctic cruise ship transferred to rescue vessel

Oceanwide Expeditions says that 74 passengers and 21 crew members from the Antarcic expedition cruise ship MV Plancius have been transferred to a rescue ship. On April 9, the Plancius experienced mechanical problems that saw it take shelter April 12, resting alongside the jetty of King Edward Point Research Station in Grytviken/Cumberland East Bay/South Georgia (54°17’S, 36°30′ W. (See earlier story)

Plans for continuing an “Atlantic Odyssey” that started in Ushuia, Argentina, March 29, were scrubbed. Instead of heading for Praia, Cape Verdes, the Plancius passengers and crew members are now aboard the Comoros flagged MV Ushuia which departed at 2.00 p.m. local time, headed for Montevideo. A tugboat then proceeded into King Edward Cove to tow the Plancius to a repair location.

April 18, 2012