Tag Archives: Antarctica

Rogue Wave Kills Passenger on Viking’s Newest Polar Expedition Cruise Ship

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One person was killed and four others injured after a Viking expedition cruise ship was struck by a rogue wave off the southern tip of South America this week.

The “rogue wave incident” happened on Tuesday, November 29, on board the Viking Polaris, which Viking only recently took delivery of in September, as it was sailing towards Ushuaia, Argentina, Viking Cruises confirmed in a statement.

“It is with great sadness that we confirmed a guest passed away following the incident. We have notified the guest’s family and shared our deepest sympathies,” the statement said. Four other passengers reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated on board.

The ship suffered limited damage, reportedly with several broken windows, and arrived in port in Ushuaia on the afternoon of November 30.

The Drake Passage, extending between Cape Horn at South America’s southernmost tip and Antarctica, is notorious for its extreme weather conditions and turbulent seas.

“We are investigating the facts surrounding this incident and will offer our support to the relevant authorities,” Viking’s statement said. “Our focus remains on the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew, and we are working directly with them to arrange return travel.”

Viking Polaris is Viking’s second purpose-built “Polar Class” expedition ship and was delivered by Fincantieri’s VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway in September. Both Viking Polaris and its sister ship Viking Octanes, delivered in December 2021, are spending the austral summer in Antarctica, before travelling to the Great Lakes for a series of voyages starting next spring and summer. The vessels, with a length of 205 meters and a beam of 23.5 meters, have a passenger capacity of 378 people.

As a result of the incident, Viking has cancelled its next scheduled departure on December 5.

Silversea Names Silver Endeavour in Antarctica

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Silversea Cruises has officially named Silver Endeavour in a naming ceremony held on November 19.

The cruise line held the celebration in the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica, where the Silver Endeavour was inaugurated as the 11th ship in the fleet.

This also makes Silver Endeavour the first ship ever to be named in the Lemaire Channel.

“We are excited to officially welcome Silver Endeavour to the Royal Caribbean Group fleet, bringing our global fleet to 64 ships,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group.

“Silver Endeavour will continue to strengthen Silversea’s position as the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, allowing us to grow capacity while building upon Royal Caribbean Group’s mission of delivering the best vacations in the world, responsibly.”

The celebration was attended by Silversea Cruises executives, the ship’s Godmother Felicity Aston MBE as well as select members of the cruise line’s extended family.

“We are incredibly proud to have hosted ultra-luxury cruising’s first Antarctica naming ceremony for Silver Endeavour­­, our third ship to be named in just nine months,” said Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises.

“I would like to thank Captain Niklas Peterstam and the ship’s crew, the entire Silversea team, Jason Liberty and all those involved at Royal Caribbean Group for their invaluable support in reaching this momentous milestone. Silver Endeavour strengthens our position as the industry’s leading cruise line, broadening our diverse polar offering for our guests’ enjoyment.

“A source of great inspiration for our guests, we are honoured to name Felicity Aston as the ship’s Godmother. Felicity is the perfect ambassador for Silversea; she shares the same unwavering sense of curiosity and adventure that unites all of our guests.”

As per the tradition, Aston blessed Silver Endeavour and cut the ribbon alongside Captain Niklas Peterstam.

Cruise Lines to Submit Seasonal Fuel Consumption Data in Antarctica

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For the first time, members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) will submit seasonal fuel consumption data.

According to a press release, the initiative is part of the association’s pledge to create a climate change strategy for Antarctic tourism.

The fuel data submission, which will include vessels 9cruise ships) of all sizes, aircraft, and accessory vehicles, will be used within the tourism association to understand the greenhouse gas footprint of the operations in Antarctica, IAATO said.

The results will then be used internally as the basis to monitor and refine emission reduction targets the IAATO membership has collectively agreed to make, it added.

While individual operators are expected and encouraged to go further in their own targets, IAATO operators have also unanimously pledged to track the International Maritime Organization (IMO) target of at least 50 per cent emissions reductions by 2050 compared with 2008 and global goals of net zero before 2050.

This, explained the association, accompanied by an agreement by each member to build their own climate strategy and set their own emission reduction targets, is the start of a collective push to account for and reduce IAATO-Operator emissions.

“Ultimately, we seek to go much further towards net positive impact, but the current challenge in shipping and aviation is that we don’t yet know what future fuels and technologies will be available to us,” said Pam Le Noury, Chair of IAATO’s Climate Change Committee.

“This latest commitment by our Operators to submit their fuel data to the IAATO Secretariat for analysis means that once we have acceleration in the development of sustainable fuels and other technologies, we will be in a strong position to act to reduce emissions further,” she added.

According to IAATO, at its annual meeting, members have open and candid discussions on safety, environmental protection, and self-management with decision-making supported by recommendations developed by the association’s ten dedicated committees and eight working groups.

The meeting concludes annually with the voting in of new commitments and policies on best practices which support the association’s mission.

These latest agreements took place at IAATO’s annual meeting, held in Providence, RI in April, where operators unanimously pledged to build a climate strategy including calculating and reducing industry emissions and setting meaningful and inclusive science-based targets. 

The pledge was shared with the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in June, where IAATO is an invited expert.

“Cooperative and coordinated international responses are required to understand global climate change and reduce emissions,” said Amanda Lynnes, IAATO Director of Environment & Science Coordination.

“One of IAATO’s strengths is the ability of its diverse membership to take collective action, often over and above what is required by global regulators. Our members remain agile in response to emerging technologies and global recommendations surrounding climate change and are committed to taking powerful steps to act for Antarctica.”