(KUGAARUK, Nunavut) — A passenger ship refloated and returned to the Arctic Ocean on Saturday after it ran aground early Friday between mainland Nunavut and Baffin Island, The Canadian Press and CP24 reported.
Tour operator One Ocean Expeditions said in a media release that Akademik Ioffe grounded in the western Gulf of Boothia. All passengers were transferred to Akademik Ioffe's sister ship, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, and were taken to Kugaaruk for a flight south.
Canadian Coast Guard spokeswoman Lauren Solski said the ship appeared seaworthy despite the accident, although an inspection was underway Saturday.
“It is floating and very stable. No injuries or oil leaks have been reported,” said Solski.
On its website, the operator describes the 383-foot Akademik Ioffe as a “modern, comfortable, safe and ice-strengthened” vessel that can host 96 passengers and 65 staff and crew.
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