Ocean Explorer has finally been pulled free after three-days stranded in a remote fjord in Greenland. The ship was awaiting rescue from a military vessel when Government scientific fishing vessel, Tarajoq, successfully dragged the vessel free from mud at high tide. Watch the recording now.
SunStone Ships, owner of Ocean Explorer stated: “There have not been any injuries to anybody onboard, no pollution of the environment and no breach of the hull.”
Passenger, Liz, told the Today show that the ship was anchored, then a tow line attached to Tarajoq with the ship listing 20 degrees to starboard before Ocean Explorer slid free of the glacial mudbank.
”When the captain said ‘the ship’s free (of the bar)’ we all ran to the bar because we though it was happy hour. But he meant the ship was off the sandbar!” Liz said.
Gina Hill, an Australian passenger onboard told Reuters that during the rescue operation the ship was leaning to starboard, with passengers strictly instructed not to go outside.
“We have just successfully become free now … we are absolutely elated.”
The next step will be the ship travelling to a port where it can assess structural damage, and passengers can be flown home after three-days stuck.
The saga has stretched across three days, with Covid also spreading on the ship, the mother and father of a former Neighbours star onboard and freezing cold temperatures creating international headlines.
All on board are safe
Aurora Expeditions have been contacted for comment.
The company issued a statement this morning: “We are pleased to confirm that the MV Ocean Explorer has been successfully freed from its grounding in Alpefjord, Greenland, on Thursday 14 September 2023, with the help of the Tarajoq vessel.
“All onboard are safe and there is no damage to the environment. We are waiting on the relevant authorities for advice regarding our next steps.
“We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the management and team of the Tarajoq vessel, for assisting us during this challenging time, and our team who have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and comfort of our passengers.
“We also sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers during this process. We remain committed to assisting them as the situation progresses.”
Ocean Explorer with 206 people on board including 90 Australians, will now sail to a port designated by the Maritime Board for a closer examination.
“We’re really happy that it went so well and that the passengers and crew of the ship can now see an end to the difficult situation they’ve been in for the last few days, said Commander Captain Brian Jensen of the Arctic Command.
“Regardless that no one was in direct danger, I understand if being stuck in such a deserted area with no possibility to move forward has been uncomfortable,” says Jensen.
Well not really! That wasn’t very good.