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» Expedition Cruise Ship Stuck on an Arctic Rock

Passengers ferried to land, but ship is still stuck

The "Clipper Adventurer," a small eco-tourism expedition ship operated Ontario-based Adventure Canada ran aground on an "unmarked rock" in Arctic waters, according to a CNN report. The ship was "exploring" the Northwest Passage when the incident occurred. It was first reported on Friday, and crew was able to free the ship during high tide on Saturday, providing the 128 passengers and 69 crew members with more adventure than they planned on. Two days after the ship got stuck, the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker icebreaker "Amundsen" was ferrying passengers first to Kugluktuk, a small town on the shore of the Arctic Ocean, and from there, they are expected to fly to Edmonton.

The ice-strengthened "Clipper Adventurer" was  built by the Soviets in 1976 and called the "Alla Tarasova." The ship may be stuck but she appears stable, resting with a slight list, according to Adventure Canada, whose website described the current situation. The company is also issuing updated info. While waiting to be taken off the ship, the company issued a statement to the effect that "Weather remains favourable as passengers continue to enjoy onboard programming and hospitality."

Climate change notwithstanding, sea ice begins to form in the Arctic Ocean in mid-September, and the company is sure anxious to get the ship off the rock well before.