Five Irish tourists were among 106 passengers and crew rescued from a US-registered cruise ship tonight after it ran aground in the sea off Antarctica yesterday morning.
The MV Ocean Novagot into difficulties in Marguerite Bay on the west side of the Antarctica at about 3am (Irish time) yesterday.
Quark Expeditions, which operates the Ocean Nova, said high winds had taken the crew by surprise and dragged anchored ship up against the rocks near the Argentine polar base at San Martin before the crew had time to put the engines in reverse.
The Connecticut-based tour operator said several attempts to dislodge the vessel had been thwarted by high winds.
However, the passengers and most of the crew were tonight safetly transferred to a second Quark ship, the MV Clipper Adventurer, which had sailed to the area to aid the stricken vessel.
Quark Expeditions said the Ocean Novaremained aground and Danish captain Per Gravesen would again attempt to dislodge from the rocks at high tide after midnight local time (2am Irish time).
The operator said an initial assessment of damage indicated there was no imminent danger to the vessel and there had been no threat to lives.
The passangers will now make the northward journey back to Ushuaia, Agrentina on board the Clipper Adventurer.
Ealier the Department of Foreign Affairs said it had been contacted by the Irish embassy in Argentina in relation to the incident.
The embassy in Buenos Aires said it was monitoring the situation but so far it had not been contacted by any of the Irish nationals involved.
In a statement earlier, Quark said: “All guests, staff, crew and officers remain safe.
“As a precaution Captain Per Gravesen issued a distress signal, which was recognised by the Argentine emergency services.
“The situation remains stable and passengers are enjoying the regularly scheduled lecture program.”
President of Quark Expeditions Patrick Shaw said: “The experience of Captain Gravesen and his crew and the special construction of the vessel, which was built for polar waters, have played a significant role in ensuring the safety of our guests during this incident.”
“Guests aboard communicated with distant family members, before enjoying a good night’s sleep,” he added.
The Ocean Novawas built in 1992 to sail in icy waters around Greenland. Its ice-strengthened hull was "excellent" for polar expeditions, Quark said.