M/S Explorer Cruise Ship Accident - Antarctica

Travel law experts Irwin Mitchell Solicitors is very concerned to note that, just over 3 months after the ship Alexey Maryshev was hit by ice during a sightseeing trip in Arctic waters, injuring 17 British tourists, 154 passengers and crew, including 24 Britons, have had to be evacuated from the M/S Explorer cruise ship after it hit heavy ice and began to take on water in the sea off the coast of Antarctica.

It is reported that the M/S Explorer hit ice off the coast of the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina and north of Antarctica, while on a summer cruise of Antarctica.  Passengers are reported to have boarded another cruise ship after leaving the Explorer in lifeboats and are said to be safe.  The extent of any injuries caused by the accident is currently unknown.

Clive Garner, Head of Travel law at law firm Irwin Mitchell which represents a number of passengers on the Alexey Maryshev, said "The rise in popularity of Antarctic cruising has meant that traffic in the area has increased.  Icebergs are a well known hazard in the region, and because of this many of the ships that operate there have ice strengthened hulls.  An investigation will have to be conducted into this incident to determine whether the operators and/or crew of the Explorer took sufficient steps to avoid this hazard to ensure that passengers were not put at unnecessary risk."

If you or someone you know has been affected by this accident, please contact us for expert legal advice. Fill in our online claims form here.