An Assessment of Environmental
Emergencies
Arising from Activities in Antarctica
Background
Resolution 6 of ATCM XXII requested
that COMNAP undertake an assessment of the risks of
environmental emergencies arising from activities
in Antarctica, including, but not limited to an analysis
of incidents which have occurred over the past ten
years within the Antarctic Treaty area.. The original
paper XXIII (ATCM/WP16) was submitted to the 1999
ATCM held in Lima Peru.
ATCM XXIII, Committee of Environmental
Protection requested that IAATO provide relevant information
with regard to environmental emergencies resulting
from tourist vessels.
Survey Results
The COMNAP Survey (MNAP Notice 175:
Questionaire on Environmental Hazards) was sent to
all current IAATO operators as well as Orient Lines/operating
the M.V Marco Polo and Adventure Network International.
Responses were received from all IAATO members and
Orient Lines. Adventure Network claimed no incidences
during the 1999/2000 but no further information was
provided.
Eleven incidents have occurred since
the formation of IAATO in 1991
Consisted of: three groundings, one
ship beset in the ice, two vessels with propeller
damage. (#1,3,4,7,9,10)
One incident resulted in the spillage
of a small amount of gearbox/TEBO pressure oil leaking
from a rudder casing. (# 5)
- 3 medical evacuations ( two at
McMurdo and one at Rothera)
The two medical emergencies required
assistance from McMurdo and Rothera stations. (#6,8,2
respectively)
Collision with the humpback whale
as noted below (#11).
No lives were lost in any of the above
mentioned incidents.
Antarctic Peninsula medical emergencies
that were handled amongst ship operators or with assistance
from the Chilean Airlines, DAP, or Adventure Network
International are not included in this paper.
The following charts represent a detailed
assessment of all of the incidents that have occurred
since 1991 by tourist vessels. As far as IAATO is
aware there are no other incidents involving non-IAATO
member vessels.
Specific Incidents
1. M/V World Discoverer
| Date
|
21
January 1991, 18.30 hrs UTC |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
World
Discoverer |
| Operators/Charter
|
Society
Expeditions |
| Location-
|
At
sea/Adjacent to Cape Evans/Ross Island, uncharted
rock. The Distance to Cape Evans Hut was 064°
, and 0.6.NM. |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
77
° 38.5’S,
166 ° 21.9’E.
|
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident. While approaching Cape Evans/Ross
Island the vessel grounded on a uncharted rock.
|
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None/no
pollution was observed. |
| Damage
to vessel |
All
tanks and cofferdams were checked and the following
tanks were thought to be damaged: 1. Freshwater
tank I Port and Starboard
2. Diesel Oil Tank II Center
3. Diesel Oil Tank III Center |
| Response
Action Taken |
Several
attempts with main engine and bowthruster were
made to free the vessel. The vessel floated
at 20.30 hrs UTC and at 2130 hrs the vessel
proceeded |
| Other
Measures Taken |
Both
radar sets and eco sounders were working faultlessly.
After the grounding soundings were taken by
sounding-lead all around the vessel. The shallowest
depth was ascertained on the starboard side
in the midship area. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental degradation. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
$200,000
NZD |
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
No
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
No
|
2. M.V. Explorer
| Date
|
February
1995 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Explorer
|
| Operators/Charter
|
Abercrombie
&Kent/Explorer Shipping |
| Location-
|
At
sea/near Rothera |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
N/A
|
| Type
of Incident |
Medical
Emergency- Female tourist/passenger fell and
broke her hip. |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
None
|
| Response
Action Taken |
Personnel
from British Antarctic Survey made the arrangements
for the flight and brought an aircraft from
Stanley. The passenger overnighted at Rothera
Base for one night while the vessel remained
in the vicinity. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental damage. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
As
noted above |
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
No
|
3. M/V Professor Multanovskiy
| Date
|
24
January 1996 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Professor
Multanovskiy |
| Operators/Charter
|
Marine
Expeditions Inc |
| Location-
|
At
sea-6 cables WNW from Penguin Island
|
| Latitude/Longitude
|
Unknown
|
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident/Vessel was grounded on rocks
|
| Response
Action Taken |
Adjusted
Ballast to float vessel , holes repaired with
concrete |
| Other
Measures Taken |
Returned
to Port of Ushuaia for a full inspection with
divers. The vessel has a double hull and only
the outer layer was affected. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental degradation. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
$32,000
USD |
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
None
|
4. M/V Professor
Khromov
| Date
|
4
January 1997 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Professor
Khromov |
| Operators/Charter
|
Quark
Expedition/Supernova Expeditions |
| Location-
|
Neuymayer
Channel |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
64°
43’5"South, 63°
08’3"W. |
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident/Vessel grounded on shoal, uncharted
rock |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
Minimal
|
| Response
Action Taken |
Vessel
was pulled off the shoal by Chilean tugboat.
Incident was recorded in ship’s log. Vessel
owner and insurance company informed. Incident
reported to all appropriate authorities.
|
| Other
Measures Taken |
Passengers
were transferred to another Quark Expeditions
operated vessel the "Alla Tarasova"
(now Clipper Adventurer). Vessel then
returned to Ushuaia under her own steam and
was inspected for extent of damage. Repairs
were completed in Ushuaia and vessel resumed
sailing schedule. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental damage. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
None
|
5. M.V Akademik Sergei Vavilov
| Date
|
18
January 1997 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Akademik
Sergei Vavilov |
| Operators/Charter
|
Marine
Expeditions-operator/ Supernova/Quark Expeditions-charterer
|
| Location-
|
Open
water/at sea-Pleneau/Hovgaard area |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
N/A
|
| Type
of Incident |
Oil
Spill: Oil was observed leaking from the vessel
|
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
A
total of 4 liters at one liter per hour flowed
into the ocean
(Gearbox oil, TEBO Pressure
oil 68). The oil leak was from a rudder casing.
|
| Damage
to vessel |
None
|
| Response
Action Taken |
The
oil was very light and self degradable. Crewman
(diver), sealed the leak around the stern thruster.
The voyage was cancelled and the vessel returned
to Ushuaia for repairs. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
Yes
There was no damage to shore
and the oil degraded. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
None
|
6. I/B Kapitan Khlebnikov
| Date
|
February
2, 1998 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Kapitan
Khlebnikov |
| Operators/Charter
|
Supernova
Expeditions/Quark Expeditions |
| Location-
|
McMurdo
Station/Ross Island-Outside Fire Station
|
| Latitude/Longitude
|
At
McMurdo Station |
| Type
of Incident |
Medical
Emergency: Passenger collapsed after a 10-15
minute walk up hill on the road from the ice
pier. Outside temperature was -9°
Celsius. |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
None
|
| Response
Action Taken |
Passenger
was taken to the hospital at McMurdo, treated
for total cardiac arrest and revived. He was
later flown to Christchurch with a medivac team
from McMurdo. |
| Other
Measures Taken |
Follow
up was completed by Quark Expeditions. Upon
returning home the family doctor believed the
problem was heart arythmia that could have been
exacerbated by physical stress. The passenger
was not aware of this condition prior to departure.
Passenger recovered from this incident but several
months later he died. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental damage. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
All
costs of evacuation were covered by the passenger’s
travel insurance. (Approximate cost of transport
$72,000) |
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
As
noted above |
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
N/A
|
7. M.V Hanseatic
| Date
|
3
February 1999 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Hanseatic
|
| Operators/Charter
|
Hapag
Lloyd |
| Location-
|
At
sea/Paradise Bay |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
N/A
|
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
Starboard
propeller sustained damage |
| Response
Action Taken |
Vessel
sailed to Ushuaia at a speed of 11 knots. The
second propeller was fully functional.
|
| Other
Measures Taken |
Ship
was sent to Dry Dock for further repair.
|
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental damage |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human
beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
None
|
| Additional
Comments |
The
following cruises were canceled. |
8. M/V Marco Polo
| Date
|
February
1999 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Marco
Polo |
| Operators/Charter
|
Orient
Lines |
| Location-
|
McMurdo
station |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
N/A
|
| Type
of Incident |
Medical:
The passenger was suffering from lung cancer
and his condition had worsened to the extent
that he needed to be permanently on oxygen.
The supply of oxygen on board was deemed insufficient
for him to remain on board all the way to New
Zealand. |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
None
|
| Response
Action Taken |
Medical
evacuation was by Hercules from McMurdo to Christchurch.
|
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
N/A
|
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
Cost was paid for by the passengers insurance
company |
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
As
noted above |
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
N/A
|
9. M.V Clipper Adventurer
| Date
|
31
December 1999 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Clipper
Adventurer |
| Operators/Charter
|
Operator:New
World Ship Management Co LLC/Clipper Cruise
Line/Charterer: Zegrahm Expeditions |
| Location-
|
At
Anchor, approximately 2 nm NW of Cape Winman
near Seymour Island. |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
L64°
11.3’S and 056°
40.2’W |
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident: While at anchor the vessel was contacted
by ice damaging 2 of the 5 blades on the port
propeller. |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
2
of the 5 port propeller blades |
| Response
Action Taken |
The
vessel continued her voyage on one propeller
and safely returned to Ushuaia. After disembarking
the passengers, the ship then proceeded under
her own power to Bahia Blanca, Argentina for
repairs. |
| Other
Measures Taken |
None
|
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
There
was no environmental damage. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
None
|
10. M.V Clipper Adventurer
| Date
|
1
February 2000 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Clipper
Adventurer |
| Operators/Charter
|
New
World Ship Management Co LLC/Clipper Cruise
Line |
| Location-
|
Pack
ice/Martha Strait |
| Latitude/Longitude
|
L66°
43.1;S and 067°
31.3’W |
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident: the vessel was beset in pack ice while
navigating in Martha Strait. |
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
None
|
| Damage
to vessel |
None
|
| Response
Action Taken |
The
vessel contacted by radio and was assisted by
the Argentinean Icebreaker Almirante Irizar.
The Clipper Adventurer was free and clear
on the morning of 1 February 2000 and proceeded
on her voyage. |
| Other
Measures Taken |
N/A
|
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
The
environment was not affected. |
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
N/A
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
None
|
11. Akademik Sergei Vavilov
| Date
|
1
February 2000 |
| Vessel-tourist
Ship |
Akademik
Sergei Vavilov |
| Operators/Charter
|
Quark/Supernova
Expeditions |
| Location-
|
Approaching
Dallmann Bay enroute to Melchoir Islands
|
| Latitude/Longitude
|
64°
10’S and 63°
03’1"W |
| Type
of Incident |
Transport
Incident/Collision with humpback whale. Ship’s
officers had spotted 2 whales in front of the
ship approximately 2 miles at the 1200 position.
The whales resurfaced at approximately the 1130
position, one mile ahead of the vessel and then
again resurfaced 15 yards in front of the vessel
to the port side. They altered course and one
whale came up directly in front of the bow and
collided with the vessel. Passengers on the
stern deck then noted that 2 whales resurfaced
about 200 yards off the stern. Both were still
breathing on the surface but the whale which
had been hit was seen to be bleeding.
|
| Environmental
damage/hazard |
Noted
above |
| Damage
to vessel |
None
|
| Response
Action Taken |
The
incident was reported to Quark Expeditions,
IAATO, the Marine Mammal Commission, NSF and
EPA. Directive was subsequently sent to all
expedition leaders and Captains to ensure when
any vessel comes into proximity of whales, the
vessel must reduce speed and all care taken
to change course to avoid any disturbance or
collision with whales or in fact any other wildlife
present in the water. |
| Was
the Environment restored to its condition prior
to the accident |
N/A
|
| Estimated
Cost of repair |
$0
|
| Injuries
or deaths to human beings |
None
|
| Injuries
or deaths to wildlife |
One
humpback whale was injured |
12. The International Association
of Antarctica Tour Operators was formed in 1991. Known
incidents that occurred prior to the formation of
IAATO are as follows:
(Provided by D. Enzenbacher and Sources:
Enzenbacher 1991:91-92, 1994b:111:Swithinbank 1994)
| Date
|
Vessel/aircraft
|
Tour
Operator/party involved |
Occurrence
|
| 14
Feb 1967 |
Lapataia
|
Lindblad
Travel |
26
Tourists Stranded on Half Moon Island
|
| January
1968 |
Navarino
|
Lindblad
Travel |
Steering
engine failure |
| 22
January 1968 |
Magga
Dan |
Lindblad
Travel |
Ship
ran aground off Hut Point, McMurdo Sound
|
| 22
January 1969 |
Aquiles
|
Lindblad
Travel |
Approximately
70 tourists stranded at Palmer station
|
| 23
January 1970 |
Piper
Aztec Twin Engine |
Max
Conrad (US) |
Plane
crashed during take off at South Pole, pilot
survived |
| 24
December 1971 |
Lindblad
Explorer |
Lindblad
Travel |
Ship
grounded in Gerlache Strait, tourists rescued
by Chilean Navy |
| 11,
February 1972 |
Lindblad
Explorer |
Lindblad
Travel |
Ship
grounded on rocks in Admiralty Bay, King George
Island |
| 29
November 1972 |
Ice
Bird |
David
Lewis |
Second
Capsize of yacht, later reconstructed at Palmer
station in 1973 |
| 1973
|
Libertad
|
DNT/ELMA
|
Damage
to ship |
| 28
November 1979 |
DC-10
Flight 901 |
Air
New Zealand |
Plane
crash on Mt. Erebus, Ross Island, no survivors
among the 257 passengers and crew |
| 24
December 1979 |
Lindblad
Explorer |
Lindblad
Travel |
Ship
grounded on rocks off Weincke Island
|
| 1
December 1983 |
DC-3
|
7
Summit 1983 Antarctic Expedition |
11
member team requested fuel from Siple station
to assure safe return home, remained 5 days
at the US station, 250 gallons of fuel provided
|
| 21
January 1985 |
Lindblad
Explorer |
Society
Expeditions |
Ship
call to Faraday Station requested medication
for seriously ill passenger, request was granted
|
| 31
December 1985 |
Aircraft
|
Chilean
Tourist Flight |
Plane
crash on King George Island, all men on board
killed |
| 10
January 1986 |
Southern
Quest |
"In
the Footsteps of Scott" expedition
|
Ship
crushed by pack ice, 21 crew members rescued
bye US helicopters from McMurdo, ship sank 4
miles east of Beaufort Island |
| 28
January 1989 |
Bahia
Paraiso |
Argentine
Government supply/tourist ship |
Ship
ran aground off Anvers Island then sank leaving
600,000 liters of fuel. A more detailed report
is in the COMNAP report |
| 21
February 1990 |
World
Discoverer |
Society
Expeditions |
Tourist
brought ashore to BAS station for xray of suspected
fracture |
|
February 1991 |
Pomaire
|
Marinsular
|
Ship
grounded in Jones Sound |
| 26
November 1993 |
DC-6B
aircraft |
Allcair
|
Crashed
9 miles from Patriot Hills Base Camp, 8 evacuated
by ANI |
Note: former IAATO member Lindblad
Travel and current IAATO member Lindblad Expeditions
are separate companies, and there is/was no common
ownership between the two companies.
Conclusions
Based on the results of the survey
it is concluded that:
- There have been very few incidents
that have occurred over the last 10 seasons with
regard to tourist ships considering that there have
been over 800 departures to Antarctica since 1991.
- More experienced officers and crew,
better navigational equipment and good communication
among tour operators have proven to be effective
in being able to avoid many potential problems and
mitigate potential impacts.
- All of the vessels have medical
doctors on board who can address most medical emergencies
The IAATO-EMER (Emergency Medical Evacuation Response).
is also in place and works effectively.
- All vessels are required to have
Marpol, SOLAS, SOPEP’s (Shipboard Oil Pollution
Emergency Plans) etc. and other international conventions
in place in order to operate.
- Although the possibility of a serious
incident does exist, it can be significantly reduced
by the use of responsible, best practices, when
preparing for and executing expeditions in Antarctica.
|
