Kapitan Khlebnikov Delayed - November 2009
UPDATE SIX: November 22, 2009 at 18:00 EST
Incident Involving I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
November 22, 2009
Ushuaia, Argentina
54° 47' S, 68° 20' W
Incident Details
Vessel: I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
Date: November 22, 2009
Location: 54° 47'S, 68° 20'W
Time: : 01:00 UTC, Nov. 23 / 20:00 local time Nov. 22
Quark Expeditions today reports the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov arrived at the port in Ushuaia, Argentina, on Sunday November 22, at 0600 local time.
Disembarking passengers were welcomed by a Client Services team from Quark Expeditions and where escorted to a waiting chartered aircraft that took them to Buenos Aires. From Buenos Aires, passengers are now proceeding for their onward flights home.
The icebreaker embarked new passengers at 1600. It left Ushuaia for Antarctica at 2000 local time.
UPDATE FIVE: November 19, 2009 at 20:00 EST
Incident Involving I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
November 19, 2009
7.5 Miles SE of Seymour Island
64° 16'9 S, 56° 22'6 W
Incident Details
Vessel: I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
Date: November 19, 2009
Location: 64° 16'9 S, 56° 22'6 W
Time: 01:00 UTC Nov. 20 / 22:00 Local Time Nov. 19
Quark Expeditions reports the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov has successfully navigated the pack ice of the Weddell Sea and is now in open water, on the way to Ushuaia, Argentina.
The vessel is expected in the port Ushuaia at 10:00am the morning of November 22nd. The ship will then take on fresh stores and pick up the passengers awaiting their scheduled journey. Passengers will embark later that same day. The expedition has been adjusted to take into account the delayed departure.
"On behalf of Quark Expeditions I would like to thank all passengers participating in these voyages for their good humor and spirit of adventure in accepting these unexpected changes. Like true adventurers, they have risen to the occasion in embracing both the thrills and challenges that travel to the wondrous Polar Regions entails," says Patrick Shaw, President of Quark Expeditions.
Quark Expeditions continues to work with travel agents and companies to ensure that the delayed passengers can efficiently continue their travel home.
UPDATE FOUR: November 17, 2009 at 10:30 EST
Incident Involving I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
November 17, 2009
5.4 Miles SW of Snow Hill Island
64° 35'9 S, 56° 59'6 W
Incident Details
Vessel: I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
Date: November 17, 2009
Location: 64° 35'9 S, 56° 59'6 W
Time: 15:30 UTC / 12:30 Local Time
Quark Expeditions today reports that improving weather conditions have allowed the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov to make some progress in its return to port in Ushuaia, Argentina.
The ship is now able to navigate the ice and is expected to be in open waters soon. Quark will continue to monitor progress and updates related to the estimated time of arrival in port and disembarkation details will be provided as details become available.
The scheduled return to port (November 16, 2009) was delayed due to weather conditions including heavy pack ice in the Weddell Sea, which restricted the vessel's ability to manoeuvre effectively.
All 101 passengers, 23 staff and 60 crew aboard remain safe and comfortable and continue to enjoy the high quality hospitality, entertainment and educational programming that is offered on all Quark voyages and expeditions.
A highlight of this particular voyage included a special departure to visit the emperor penguin colony near Snow Hill Island. Shane Evoy, Quark's Expedition Leader onboard reports that "although the delay may cause complications for return travel, all passengers are enjoying the extra time we have spent at the Snow Hill Island Emperor Penguin rookery and seeing the icebreaker in action".
To facilitate the changes in schedule, Quark is proactively working with agents and transportation companies to co-ordinate alternate flight and travel plans for the passengers currently onboard. The company is also currently in touch with and providing entertainment and educational programming for those passengers currently waiting to board the ship for the next voyage.
The Argentine Research base Marambio is 25 miles from the ship's current location and within reach of the vessel's helicopters. While there is currently no cause for concern, as a precaution, Quark has contacted the base regarding use of their airstrip should there be any need to bring passengers off the ship for medical or other concerns.
UPDATE THREE: November 16, 2009 at 13:30 EST
Incident Involving I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
November 16, 2009
5 Miles SW of Snow Hill Island
64° 35'5 S, 56° 59'9 W
Incident Details
Vessel: I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
Date: November 16, 2009
Location: 64° 35'5 S, 56° 59'9 W
Time: 18:30 UTC / 15:30 Local Time
Quark Expeditions today advises that improving weather conditions have allowed the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov to make progress in its return to port in Ushuaia, Argentina.
The scheduled return to port (November 16, 2009) was delayed due to weather conditions including heavy pack ice in the Weddell Sea which restricted the vessel's ability to maneuver effectively.
The ship is now able to navigate the ice and is expected to be in open waters within the next 12 - 20 hours. Quark will continue to monitor progress and updates related to the estimated time of arrival in port and disembarkation details will be provide as details become available.
All 101 passengers, 23 staff and 60 crew aboard remain safe and comfortable and continue to enjoy the high quality hospitality, entertainment and educational programming that is offered on all Quark voyages and expeditions.
A highlight of this particular voyage included a specialized departure to visit the emperor penguin colony near Snow Hill Island. The improving weather has now enabled the transport of passengers and staff via helicopter to the rookery where they are reveling in the beautiful sunny skies and their exposure to and enhanced understanding of these wondrous creatures.
To facilitate the changes in schedule, Quark Expeditions is proactively working with agents and transportation companies to co-ordinate alternate flight and travel plans for both the passengers currently onboard and those due to join the vessel for the next voyage.
Of the 101 passengers, 23 staff and 60 crew aboard I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov, nationalities comprise: 58 Russia, 51 United Kingdom, 13 USA, 8 Austria, 7 France, 7 Canada, 7 Netherlands, 5 Germany, 5 Ukraine, 4 Mexico, 4 Australia, 3 Italy, 3 New Zealand, 2 Ireland, 1 Moldova, 1 Thailand, 1 Argentina, 1 Denmark, 1 China, 1 Sweden, 1 Norway.
UPDATE TWO: November 15, 2009 at 22:30 Local Time
Incident Involving I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
November 15, 2009
4 Miles SW of Snow Hill Island
64° 35'8 S, 57° 02'2 W
Incident Details
Vessel: I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
Date: November 15, 2009
Location: 64° 35'8 S, 57° 02'2 W
Time: 01:30 UTC Nov. 16 / 22:30 Local Time
Quark Expeditions advises that the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov remains delayed in its return to port at Ushuaia, Argentina. This delay is due to continuing weather conditions including heavy pack ice in the Weddell Sea. All guests aboard ship are safe and comfortable and continue to enjoy the top quality hospitality, entertainment and enriching education program that Quark polar expedition guests have come to expect on these journeys.
Earlier this afternoon all passengers visited the Snow Hill Island Rookery, the key destination for this voyage. In addition, passengers have been enjoying helicopter tours, excursions on the Weddell Sea ice, iceberg tours and daily encounters with seals and Emperor penguins.
Quark continues to monitor the weather conditions and updates related to the disembarkation time and date will be confirmed as the details become available.
UPDATE ONE: November 14, 2009 at 18:30 Local Time
Incident Involving I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
November 14, 2009
4 Miles SW of Snow Hill Island
64° 35'8 S, 57° 02'2 W
Incident Details
Vessel: I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
Date: November 14, 2009
Location: 64° 35'8 S, 57° 02'2 W
Time: 21:30 UTC / 18:30 Local Time
Quark Expeditions advises that the icebreaker Kapitan Khlebnikov has been delayed in its return to port at Ushuaia, Argentina. This delay is due to weather conditions including heavy pack ice in the Weddell Sea. All guests aboard ship are safe and comfortable and continue to enjoy the top quality hospitality, entertainment and enriching education program that Quark polar expedition guests have come to expect on these journeys.
While the weather conditions have precluded helicopter tours, excursions on the Weddell Sea ice, iceberg tours and daily encounters with seals and Emperor penguins continue to engage guests and spark conversation and learning.
Quark continues to monitor the weather conditions and updates related to the disembarkation time and date will be confirmed as the details become available.
