On June 30, MV Polar Star ran aground on a rock north of Hornsund (south of Dunøyane). The surprising aspect is the fact that the shallow is actually marked on the most recent sea charts, but as it turned out, older versions were used on board, which do not include the rock. There were no injuries or losses and damage to the hull was not significant. The governor’s vessel and the coast guard were soon in the area to evaluate the situation and assist, if necessary. The 67 passengers of MV Polar Star were soon transferred to MV Fram, another cruise ship that was in the area. MV Polar Star could continue its regular service already July 03.
MV Polar Star has been used as cruise ship in Spitsbergen waters for a number of years and has frequently visited the area in question before.
Dunøyane north of Hornsund, where MV Polar Star ran aground on June 30. The coast of the main island in the background.
Sourcen: Sysselmannen, Svalbardposten und Miljøstatus på Svalbard
By the way, my new book is in print and it can now be ordered 🙂 it is a photo book with the title “Norwegens arktischer Norden (3): Die Bäreninsel und Jan Mayen”, with German text Click here for further details!
This and other publishing products of the Spitsbergen publishing house in the Spitsbergen-Shop.
Norwegens arktischer Norden (1): Spitzbergen
Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German. [shop url="https://shop.spitzbergen.de/en/polar-books/70-norwegens-arktischer-norden-1-aerial-arctic-9783937903262.html"] ← Back
Lofoten, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen from the air - Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German, but there is very little text, so I am sure that you will enjoy it regardless which languages you read (or not).
The companion book for the Svalbardhytter poster. The poster visualises the diversity of Spitsbergen‘s huts and their stories in a range of Arctic landscapes. The book tells the stories of the huts in three languages.
Comprehensive guidebook about Spitsbergen. Background (wildlife, plants, geology, history etc.), practical information including travelling seasons, how to travel, description of settlements, routes and regions.
Join an exciting journey with dog, skis and tent through the wintery wastes of East Greenland! We were five guys and a dog when we started in Ittoqqortoormiit, the northernmost one of two settlements on Greenland’s east coast.
12 postcards which come in a beautifully designed tray. Beautiful images from South Georgia across Antarctica from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and up to Macquarie Island and Campbell Island.