MS Explorer Sinks After Ice Collision in Antarctica’s Bransfield Strait – November 2007 (Retrospective)

In November 2007, MS Explorer sank near King George Island, Antarctica, during an 18-day voyage operated by G.A.P Shipping Co Ltd. All 154 people aboard—100 passengers and 54 crew—were rescued by MS Nordnorge. One passenger suffered a minor injury.

The Liberian investigation identified the Master’s misjudgment of the ice conditions. It praised the decision to abandon ship and the engineering crew’s response, while identifying weaknesses in emergency preparation.

The report records the collision at 00:02 on 23 November 2007. The Master mistook hard first-year ice containing land ice for softer ice. Passengers and crew abandoned the vessel and were rescued by MS Nordnorge.

Passengers

• 100 passengers onboard at the time of the collision, including expedition staff counted as passengers in the report.

Guides and crew

• 54 crew members onboard.

Fatalities

• None reported.

Injuries

• One passenger suffered a minor injury.

Rescued

• All 154 people (100 passengers and 54 crew) safely rescued by MS Nordnorge and evacuated to King George Island, then flown to Punta Arenas by Chilean Air Force.

MS Explorer sank at about 15:30, roughly 15½ hours after the collision. It carried about 210 cubic metres of oils, lubricants and petrol. The observed sheen represented a much smaller initial release; the report did not say the entire inventory spilled at once.

The 2009 investigation identified navigation and preparation failures. Although the abandonment decision was praised, three of the four lifeboat engines could not be started, and some emergency procedures were not followed.

The investigation’s recommendations addressed ice assessment, crew preparation and emergency response in polar operations.