Update on the Incident Involving M/V Ocean Nova
February 17, 2009
Marguerite Bay, Antarctica
68° 08′ S, 67° 06′ W.
Incident Details
Vessel: M/V Ocean Nova
Date: February 17, 2009
Location: 68° 08′ S, 67°06′ W
Time: 04:30 UTC / 01:30 Local Time
All 106 (correction) people aboard M/V Ocean Nova in Marguerite Bay, Antarctica, remain safe and calm. They await the high tide which will occur at midnight local time (03:00 UTC) to dislodge the vessel. Former Danish naval officer, Captain Per Gravesen anticipates success. He will not disembark passengers or leave the scene until divers from the Spanish naval vessel Hespérides (correction from previous release) have examined the hull.
Connecticut based, Quark Expeditions, the operator of the voyage, will release a further update at 09:00 EST (14:00 UTC), February 18, 2009, following this potential inspection. Patrick Shaw, president of the company, said today, “The midnight operation will occur in daylight, as the ship is below the Antarctic Circle, where the sun never sets during February. We anticipate a positive outcome.•bCrLf
UPDATE TWO: February 17, 2009 at 12:00 EST
Update on the Incident Involving M/V Ocean Nova
February 17, 2009
Marguerite Bay, Antarctica
68° 08′ S, 67° 06′ W.
Incident Details
Vessel: M/V Ocean Nova
Date: February 17, 2009
Location: 68° 08′ S, 67°06′ W
Time: 04:30 UTC / 01:30 Local Time
Due to unfavorable weather conditions, Captain Per Gravesen was not able to dislodge M/V Ocean Nova at 16:00 UTC / 13:00 Local Time. The next high tide will occur at midnight local time (03:00 UTC), when a second attempt will be made. Also, the Spanish naval vessel Hespedrides will be alongside at that time to assist, if necessary. All guests, staff, crew and officers remain safe.
As a contingency, M/V Clipper Adventurer, a Quark vessel, is steaming toward M/V Ocean Nova. Should M/V Ocean Nova not dislodge with the tide, all passengers aboard will be transferred to this vessel for the return to Ushuaia. Patrick Shaw, president of Quark Expeditions said “the safety and comfort of our guests are forefront in all our decisions.•bCrLf
Captain Per Gravesen
Former Danish naval officer, Captain Per Gravesen worked with the Royal Greenland Trade Company as navigator, then ultimately as captain. He brings almost a quarter-century of polar navigation to M/V Ocean Nova.
M/V Ocean Nova
This ship was built in 1992 to sail the ice-choked waters of Greenland. The Ocean Nova’s ice-strengthened hull is excellent for Quark’s polar expeditions and has enabled the ship to park in the ice of the Weddell Sea. The ship has been part of the Quark fleet since 2006. It has 37 outside cabins, with private facilities. Registry is Bahamas.
UPDATE ONE: February 17, 2009 at 09:00 EST
Incident Involving M/V Ocean Nova
February 17, 2009
Marguerite Bay, Antarctica
68° 08′ S, 67° 06′ W.
Incident Details
Vessel: M/V Ocean Nova
Date: February 17, 2009
Location: 68° 08′ S, 67°06′ W
Time: 04:30 UTC / 01:30 Local Time
On February 17, 2009, M/V Ocean Nova grounded at position 68° 08′ S, 67°06′ W, in Marguerite Bay, west of Debenham Island, approximately two kilometers from the Argentine research station San Martin. An initial assessment of damage indicated that there was no imminent danger and no threat to lives. There is no sign of leakage of any kind from the vessel. No environmental damage is anticipated. As a precaution, Captain Per Gravesen, of M/V Ocean Nova issued a distress signal, which was recognized by the Argentine emergency services.
Currently the situation remains stable and passengers are enjoying the regularly scheduled lecture program. The next high tide will be at 16:00 UTC / 13:00 Local Time at which time we expect to be dislodged. Three vessels are en route to assist if required. As of 13:26 UTC /10:26 Local Time, Hespedrides (a Spanish naval vessel) was 4 hours out; Castillo (an Argentine hydrographic vessel) was 12 hours out, and Clipper Adventurer, one of Quark’s fleet in the vicinity, was on stand-by.
Onboard M/V Ocean Nova are:
65 passengers and 41 crew, including ship’s staff comprising: 21 Americans, 8 Canadians, 7 Australians, 4 Germans, 5 Irish, 5 South Africans, 2 Argentinians, 17 Britons, 3 Dutch, 1 Swiss, 3 New Zealanders, 3 Danish, including the Captain, 18 Filipino, 1 Romanian, 2 Ukrainians, 1 Panamanian, 1 Guatemalan, 1 Colombian, 1 Russian, 1 Indonesian, 1 Honduran
Weather conditions at the site are currently:
40-50 knot winds, moderating in the afternoon, becoming southerly.
