Russian icebreaker carrying over 100 tourists on Antarctic cruise nears open water
Published Thursday November 19th, 2009
MOSCOW - A Russian icebreaker carrying more than 100 tourists, scientists and journalists on an Antarctic cruise was approaching open water Thursday after being halted by unexpectedly thick ice, its owners and a travel agency said.
The icebreaker Captain Khlebnikov had trouble freeing itself from sea ice earlier this week near Snow Hill Island in the Weddell Sea. It was supposed to return to Ushuaia, Argentina, two days ago but now is not expected until this weekend at the earliest.
Fareastern Shipping Co. spokeswoman Tatyana Kulikova said Thursday the icebreaker was about 100 metres (330 feet) away from clear water.
She said a deep fog and a rising tide prevented the ship from immediately moving freely into open water.
"The captain and the crew are now waiting for ebb to start and the ice pack to weaken to reach clear water," she said.
In Britain, Exodus Travels Ltd. said later Thursday that the ship had cleared ice in the Weddell Sea and was approaching open water. Exodus has said 51 British tourists were among the ship's 101 passengers.
"We've heard from the team on board that the Khlebnikov is making 4 knots through the final stretch of pack ice. Open water is in view four miles away and the wind is now in a helpful direction," said Ben Roseveare, sales and marketing director for Exodus Travels.
There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy in the distance to open water.
Officials have said the people on board weren't in any danger and were using the unplanned stop to take helicopter tours of the area. Snow Hill Island lies off the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula, which juts up toward South America.
The cruise was advertised as a unique opportunity to watch emperor penguins in their natural habitat.
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