Expedition Cruise Ship Grounded in Remote Greenland

Update, Sept. 14: With the help of the Institute of Natural Resources’ fishing research vessel TARAJOQ, Ocean Explorer has finally been pulled free of its grounding, the JAC reported on its Facebook page. The ship is headed to port and “waiting on the relevant authorities for advice regarding our next steps,” according to a statement from Aurora Expeditions. 

The Ocean Explorer, an expedition cruise vessel carrying 206 passegers and crew and currently operated by Aurora Expeditions, is grounded in the Northeast Greenland National Park.

“The MV Ocean Explorer ran aground during its voyage in Alpefjord, Greenland on Tuesday,” the cruise line said in a statement. 

Citing the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command (JAC), Reuters reported no injuries to passengers or crew, and no immediate danger to the environment as well. However, the JAC did say the nearest help is days away.

According to the article, the JAC’s nearest vessel, a Danish navy ship, could reach the ship by Friday morning local time at the earliest.

“We are actively engaged in efforts to free the MV Ocean Explorer from its grounding. Our foremost commitment is to ensure the vessel’s recovery without compromising safety. We have also secured the support of other vessels in the vicinity should their assistance become necessary.”

According to a report on the JAC’s Facebook page, initial attempts to pull the ship out of its grounding during high tide, with the help of the Institute of Natural Resources’ fishing research ship TARAJOQ, owned by Greenland’s self-government, failed. 

Built in 2021 by Ulstein, the ship is owned by SunStone Ships Inc. Until recently is was chartered almost exclusively by Vantage Travel. Australian-based Aurora Expeditions is operating the current voyage. The ship has a Polar Class 6 rating, which means it is designed to operate in polar waters, but only during the summer and fall.