Hurtigruten is offering compensation to passengers after its newest expedition ship drifted into an iceberg in Antarctica.
The ship, MS Fram had 247 passengers on board when its engines lost power for 30 minutes on December 28. During this time the ship drifted into an iceberg causing damage to a lifeboat.
No one was injured but when the ship regained power it sailed to King George Island before being escorted by another ship back to Ushuaia in Argentina.
Due to safety measures the remainder of the cruise, which was due to finish on January 2, was cancelled and the next departure was also cancelled.
MS Fram was launched in May 2007 and is designed for expedition cruising in regions such as Antarctica.
The accident follows the sinking of Gap Adventure’s ship Explorer in Antarctica in November. Another of Hurtigruten’s fleet, Nordnorge came to the rescue of Explorer’s passengers who were evacuted to lifeboats.
Hurtigruten managing director Iain Cottam said it was unfortunate the accident occurred in Antarctica as it would bring back memories of Explorer’s sinking.
He said: “This could happen anywhere – I don’t think it is going to have any impact on bookings for us.
“Sales have been very strong over the Christmas and New Year period.”
Cottam also said six British passengers were on the cruise and a further 14 were booked on the cancelled itinerary.