By Christian Wienberg, Ragnhildur Sigurdardottir and Danielle Bochove | Bloomberg
A luxury cruise ship carrying over 200 individuals, mainly Australians, is currently stranded in the remote northeastern region of Greenland after two unsuccessful attempts to dislodge it from the muddy seabed.
The Ocean Explorer became immobilized at approximately noon on Monday in the Alpefjord, located about 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) northeast of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. The nearest available vessel to assist with the rescue operation is expected to arrive on site by Friday.
Troops from Denmark’s elite Arctic Special Forces unit, Sirius, which patrols the vast area by dog sled, have visited the ship and confirmed the safety of all passengers, according to Denmark’s military’s Joint Arctic Command on Wednesday. The coast guard in neighboring Iceland is on standby with a vessel if necessary, local authorities have stated.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a few individuals on board the ship have tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently in isolation. However, they are not in a critical condition, as reported by passengers on the ship. The Joint Arctic Command did not comment on the report.
Despite attempting to take advantage of high tide on two occasions, the ship remains stuck due to the strong suction caused by the mixture of sediment, sand, and silt left behind by a nearby glacier. As reported by the Associated Press on Wednesday, a nearby fishing ship may make an attempt to help the cruise ship during the next tide.
The Joint Arctic Command has also instructed another cruise ship in the vicinity of the Ocean Explorer to remain in the area in case the situation worsens. A Danish naval ship that was already at sea off the southwest coast of Greenland has been redirected and should arrive in the area by Friday morning.
“Given the circumstances, the crew and passengers are facing a challenging situation, but the atmosphere on the ship remains positive and everyone on board is doing well,” stated the Joint Arctic Command in their report, citing information from the Sirius troops. The patrol team will remain on land in the area to ensure they can reach the ship within 90 minutes if needed.
According to the Joint Arctic Command, there are a total of 206 passengers and crew on board, with approximately 170 being paying passengers and the rest comprising the ship’s crew.
Currently, the ship is immobilized offshore within Greenland’s national park, which is known as the world’s largest park, covering an area of 972,000 square kilometers (375,000 square miles). It is a protected area that is home to various animals, including polar bears, musk oxen, and walruses. The only inhabitants within the park are workers stationed at weather stations and the small unit of Denmark’s Arctic Special Forces.
Greenland has a significant degree of self-governance but is still a part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
“All passengers, the expedition team, and the crew on board are safe and in good health,” stated Aurora Expeditions, the Sydney-based operator of the ship. “Importantly, there is no immediate threat to themselves, the vessel, or the surrounding environment.”
Aurora Expeditions specializes in polar expeditions, offering a 30-day cruise that costs over $33,000 per person for the purpose of wildlife viewing, including polar bears, beluga whales, and walruses, as stated on their website.
Like many other Arctic countries, Greenland is increasingly concerned about the logistical challenges associated with conducting expensive rescue operations in remote areas.
The number of cruise ships around the world’s largest island has risen by 50% in the past year to reach 600, according to Brian Jensen from the Joint Arctic Command. He stated this during a phone call, adding that the Joint Arctic Command conducted one medical evacuation last year and has already performed five this year.
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