THE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1979. Aground in Antarctica

Press, 27 December 1979, Page 12

THE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1979. Aground in Antarctica

Considerable relief will be felt throughout New Zealand and elsewhere that no-one appeared injured after the Antarctic cruise ship Lindblad Explorer went aground off the Antarctic Peninsula. In another year it might have received scant attention, but coming less than a month after the crash of the Air New Zealand DCIO on Mount Erebus, the possibilities for disaster must be in the forefront of people’s minds. The accident is serious enough for the passengers and all but a few emergency crew members to be taken aboard the rescue ship Piloto Pardo, but at least they could be transferred. Detailed reports have yet to reach the outside world but it would seem likely that those in the Lindblad Explorer will be able to look back on the incident more as an adventure than a disaster. The fact that another ship could reach the area illustrates an important

difference between the visit by tourists in a ship to the Antarctic and a visit by air. Where one ship can go, another can follow. The difficulties should not be underestimated: the Piloto Pardo was supposed to be 12 hours sailing time away from the cruise ship. The generally hostile environment of the Antarctic would make the already hazardous business of sea rescue more uncertain but access is still possible. Another difference lies in the generally greater self-sufficiency which cruise ships have. They are already prepared for a long stay in the area. The greater size of ships also enables them to carry a variety of survival gear. In case of the Lindblad Explorer many of the passengers are reported to have shown interest in the history and unique sightseeing aspects of the continent. It may be supposed that the lectures they were given would make a number aware of the hazards.