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23/11/2007
Liner 'Sinking' In Iceberg Collision
There's high drama - Titanic-style - in the South Atlantic this morning as a cruise liner is near sinking in the freezing Antarctic Ocean.
The vessel, which is was being helped by coastguards in Britain, is the cruise ship the M/S Explorer.
It is believed to have collided with an iceberg at sea and has begun taking in water.
It is in difficulties near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina and has been evacuated.
Some 154 people are believed to have been on board and have taken to the life rafts. About 20 Britons are among the evacuated passengers.
The UK's Falmouth Coastguard in Cornwall is currently helping. Andy Catterall, from Falmouth Coastguard, said they had good communication links in the area and were passing information to America for them to pass on to Argentina.
Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said some 100 passengers and 54 crew members were evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship, belived to be the Endeavour, as well as a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge.
Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, said: "The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist."
The captain and the chief officer remained on board while everyone was evacuated. However, the vessel is said to be listing at 25 degrees - although the tour company has said it was only tilting at eight degrees - and insist that while the ship was taking on water, the pumps were being used to stop the ship sinking.
(BMcC)
The vessel, which is was being helped by coastguards in Britain, is the cruise ship the M/S Explorer.
It is believed to have collided with an iceberg at sea and has begun taking in water.
It is in difficulties near the South Shetland Islands, south of Argentina and has been evacuated.
Some 154 people are believed to have been on board and have taken to the life rafts. About 20 Britons are among the evacuated passengers.
The UK's Falmouth Coastguard in Cornwall is currently helping. Andy Catterall, from Falmouth Coastguard, said they had good communication links in the area and were passing information to America for them to pass on to Argentina.
Susan Hayes, of Gap Adventures, which owns the ship, said some 100 passengers and 54 crew members were evacuated to lifeboats and then to another ship, belived to be the Endeavour, as well as a Norwegian cruise ship, the Nordnorge.
Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, said: "The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist."
The captain and the chief officer remained on board while everyone was evacuated. However, the vessel is said to be listing at 25 degrees - although the tour company has said it was only tilting at eight degrees - and insist that while the ship was taking on water, the pumps were being used to stop the ship sinking.
(BMcC)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
