S.Georgia : South Georgia News and Events for February 2008
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 08.03.2008 (Article Archived on 22.03.2008)
The February edition of South Georgia News and Events is out and the article below is included in this very informative on line newsletter. Enjoy!
Graphic (c) Crown Copyright - Royal Navy - M/S Explorer on the bottom
Graphic © Royal Navy - M/S Explorer on the bottom
The February edition of South Georgia News and Events is out and the article below is included in this very informative on line newsletter. Enjoy!
Royal Navy Locates Antarctic Wreck of Cruise Liner
Press Release issued by: Fleet Media & Communication
The Royal Navy ice patrol ship HMS Endurance has located the wreck of the cruise liner M/S Explorer, which sank in Antarctic waters last year.
HMS Endurance is in Antarctica undertaking hydrographic survey and mapping work; providing support to the scientific work of the British Antarctic Survey and carrying out other tasking to deliver the UK’s responsibilities under the Antarctic Treaty. The charting work contributes to the safety of shipping in the region - work which is of particular significance with the increasing number of cruise liners visiting in the Antarctic. Apart from the sinking of the Explorer, HMS Endurance herself went to the assistance of a cruise liner – the M/S Nordkapp - when that ship struck a rock and was holed early last year.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office requested that HMS Endurance undertook a search for the wreck of the Explorer to ascertain its position, assess the likely condition of the vessel on the seabed and observe any ongoing fuel seepage or other evidence of pollution.
After an initial unsuccessful search earlier this month, Endurance re-visited the area and carried out a systematic search of an area ten kilometres by five using a multibeam echosounder. The seabed in the search area was flat and featureless, but a contact was detected at a range of 4373m from the reported sinking position of the vessel. When compared to the reported sinking position of M/S Explorer this was broadly consistent with the direction of the prevailing current.
The wreck’s position is at the north-west end of the Bransfield Strait, and was located at a depth of approximately 1130 metres. The actual location is at 620 24.2929’ south 570 11.7748’ west.
Using the highest resolution available to the sonar system, the ship judged that the wreck appeared intact – although a small fuel oil slick was observed on the surface. Sea state conditions made it impossible to assess the scale of this, but if possible the ship will return to the site in better conditions to carry out this task.
After processing and examination, it was assessed that the contact was 127 metres long – similar to the sunken Explorer, which measured 122 metres. The width of the contact was considerably greater than the beam of the vessel, but this could have been due to the vessel not lying upright on the seabed, compression of the structure on impact with the seabed and possibly for technical reasons with the sonar beamwidth.
Due to the flat and featureless nature of the seabed in the vicinity, the absence of other similar contacts and the intact nature of the sonar image it is highly likely that this is the wreck of M/S Explorer. Additionally the scour that normally builds up around wrecks after a period of time on the seabed was absent, suggesting that this was a new feature.
It was judged that the depth of the wreck showed that it presented no hazard to shipping. Apart from the oil slick, no debris was seen in the water and no debris was observed on any of the land in the vicinity of the wreck visited by personnel from HMS Endurance.
Both the FCO and Ministry of Defence consider that finding M/S Explorer has highlighted the wider role and primary purpose of the Endurance in supporting the aims and principles of the Antarctic Treaty system.
http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11349
For more information about the Southern Ocean – South Georgia in particular, please follow the link below and enjoy reading other articles in South Georgia News and Events:
The February 2008 South Georgia News and Events can now be viewed.
This month:
- Royal Navy Locates Antarctic Wreck of Cruise Liner
- Husvik Villa Renovations
- Paleodrake – IPY 2008
- Fishing and Shipping News
- Bird Island News
- Museum News February 2008
- Hydro Electric Scheme Update
- South Georgia Snippets
- View of the Month
http://www.sgisland.org/pages/main/news.htm
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