Norwegian cruise ship runs aground in Antarctic

All 294 passengers aboard a Norwegian cruise ship that ran aground in the Antarctic were being transferred to a sister ship today.

The Norwegian Coastal Voyage ship M/S Norpkapp ran aground and was damaged yesterday during a cruise in the Southern Ocean.

A statement from Oslo said no one was injured, and that the ship was off the rocks, and at anchor waiting for the passenger transfer.

Hanne Kristiansen, a spokeswoman for the group, said there was no danger to the passengers or ship, but that the vessel needed repairs to its hull.

“The ship is now at anchor in Walker Bay, and is being met by (another Coastal Voyage ship) M/S Nordnorge,” she said.

Passengers, including 113 Americans, would be transferred using small tender boats, normally used for excursions, from both ships. Kristiansen said she did not know how long it would take.

The 123-metre Nordkapp, built in 1996, and the virtually identical Nornorge, from 1997, normally serve the Norwegian coast.

However, during the southern hemisphere summer they cruise the Antarctic.