Ocean Nova Updates - February 2009
UPDATE EIGHT: February 23, 2009 at 11:00 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
Clipper Adventurer, carrying Ocean Nova's passengers, arrived at the port of Ushuaia on Sunday February 22, 2009, at 7:20 AM local time. Ocean Nova's guests spent the night at the Albatros Hotel and are continuing their homebound journey today, February 23, 2009.
Ocean Nova also arrived at the port of Ushuaia on Sunday February 22, 2009. Divers conducted an extensive underwater survey of the ship's hull, identifying four indented areas and flaking of the keel's paint. The survey confirmed that the rudder and the propeller were not affected by the grounding.
Repairs of the affected areas are currently being performed in Ushuaia and are expected to take three days. Consequently, Ocean Nova's next Antarctic voyage originally scheduled to depart today has been cancelled. Quark Expeditions has re-booked passengers on M/V Polar Star's next voyage, which departs tomorrow, February 24, 2009. Polar Star is operated by Polar Star Expeditions, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Quark Expeditions is providing passengers with hotel accommodation for tonight, and is rearranging the passengers' return flights.
"Although the discovery of indentations on Ocean Nova's hull means that the ship cannot depart for the next scheduled voyage, we are pleased that we could protect our customers' Antarctic experience by reserving space on board Polar Star" said Quark Expeditions' President, Patrick Shaw.
UPDATE SEVEN: February 19, 2009 at 13:35 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
Nationality of travelers who have transferred from M/V Ocean Nova to M/V Clipper Adventurer:
68 people, including 3 staff members:
19 Americans, 18 Britons, 7 Australians, 6 Canadians, 6 Germans, 5 Irish, 3 Dutch, 3 New Zealanders, 1 South African
UPDATE SIX: February 18, 2009 at 18:00 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
Quark Expeditions announced at 18:00 EST (23:00 UTC) that M/V Ocean Nova is no longer aground. As anticipated the ship came away with the assistance of the late evening high tide.
The video of the hull of M/V Ocean Nova that was taken during the divers' inspection prior to the refloating has been reviewed by maritime experts. M/V Ocean Nova has not sustained any damage as a result of the grounding. There has been no leaking of any kind.
Should the inspection that will be conducted in Ushuaia on the ship's return to port confirm the video findings, Quark Expeditions will operate the February 22, 2009 departure of Ocean Nova. This will be a 20-day voyage to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).
"We are grateful that no environmental damage occurred and that all travelers who were aboard Ocean Nova are safe," said Patrick Shaw, president of Quark Expeditions.
UPDATE FIVE: February 18, 2009 at 13:30 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
All guests aboard M/V Ocean Nova have been safely transferred to M/V Clipper Adventurer, where they are enjoying lunch. Activities in the area are planned for the afternoon, after which the vessel will begin its northward journey to Ushuaia, Argentina for disembarkation.
Ocean Nova remains aground, waiting for high tide at 11 PM local time (02:00 UTC) to dislodge it. A preliminary inspection by divers from the Spanish naval vessel Hespérides has found no visible damage or leaks. Quark Expeditions anticipates there will be no negative impact on the environment due to this incident.
Another inspection by divers of M/V Ocean Nova's hull will be conducted once the ship is afloat. After that inspection, the vessel will return to Ushuaia.
Patrick Shaw, president of Quark Expeditions, said, "Now that our guests are safe aboard Clipper Adventurer, the next update, about M/V Ocean Nova will be issued 09:00 EST, February 19, 2009.
UPDATE FOUR: February 18, 2009 at 09:00 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
Continuing high winds thwarted the attempt to dislodge M/V Ocean Nova made at midnight local time (03:00 UTC). Another attempt will be made at the next high tide, which is noon local time (15:00 UTC). All aboard continue to be safe and there is still no sign of leakage of any kind. Quark does not anticipate any environmental impact.
Patrick Shaw, president of Quark Expeditions, said, "The experience of Captain Per 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. They await the imminent arrival of Quark's M/V Clipper Adventurer. If Ocean Nova is not dislodged at the noon high tide, then all passengers will be transferred to Clipper Adventurer for the return to Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, point of origin for the 15-day voyage of Ocean Nova.
The Spanish naval vessel Hespérides continues to wait nearby to assist, if necessary. Spanish divers will inspect the hull of M/V Ocean Nova, when the ship is clear of the rocks.
UPDATE THREE: February 17, 2009 at 17:00 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
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."
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."
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, 6 (revised February 17) Germans, 5 Irish, 2 (revised February 17) 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.
