The luxury cruise ship Ocean Explorer, carrying 206 passengers and crew, has been stranded in Greenland’s remote Alpefjord National Park since Monday. The ship, which had run aground, has been unsuccessful in its attempts to free itself, even during high tide, Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command (JAC) reported.
Initial attempts by a large trawler to free the cruiser during Wednesday’s high tide were futile. Despite this setback, images provided by the Danish military show the Ocean Explorer sitting upright under a clear sky, hinting at no immediate danger.
The atmosphere on board remains positive under the difficult circumstances. According to JAC, both crew and passengers are in good spirits, reflecting the commendable facilities and management on board the ship. Sydney-based cruise operator Aurora Expeditions, which operates the Ocean Explorer, also confirmed that everyone on board is safe. They stressed that there is no imminent threat to passengers, the ship or the environment.
However, the remoteness of the location poses a significant challenge to immediate rescue operations. JAC Commander Brian Jensen highlighted the great distance between the nearest naval rescue resources and the stranded vessel, emphasizing the challenges of the Arctic environment. The Danish Navy patrol vessel Knud Rasmussen is en route and is expected to reach the Ocean Explorer by Friday afternoon.
Greenland, with its captivating landscapes and vast ice caps, is a semi-sovereign Danish territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Built in 2021, the Ocean Explorer prides itself on traveling to the most remote and unknown destinations around the world. This incident, while unforeseen, underscores the inherent risks of venturing into the most remote corners of the planet.
This article is sourced from and written by AI.
Track and stay informed about AI-generated news:
English 
Español de Venezuela