20 Feb 2009

Passengers removed from cruise ship stuck on rocks

12:18 am on 20 February 2009

All 74 passengers aboard an Antarctic cruise ship that has stranded on rocks near Argentina's San Martin research station have been safely taken from the ship.

A second attempt to free the Danish-built Ocean Nova failed because of high winds.

The total of 105 passengers and crew aboard the 73-metre vessel include three New Zealanders.

The tour is run by United States-based Quark Expeditions, though the New Zealanders booked through local company Adventure World Travel.

Quark Expeditions president Patrick Shaw says another attempt will be made to float the Ocean Nova off the rocks, now the wind has subsided.

He says passengers have been transferred to another vessel and have resumed sightseeing.

A Spanish oceanographic ship, a transport ship and an Argentinean plane were sent to lend assistance if required.