Australian ship on standby to help Antarctica cruise ship
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An Australian ship is one of a number on standby to rescue passengers from an Argentine cruise ship which has run aground on the coast of Antarctica.
One-hundred-and-twenty-two people, including 11 Australians, are onboard the ship which is stranded in Wilhelmina Bay.
A Chilean ship is expected to reach the cruise ship in several hours, but there are other ships in the area including the Australian Polar Pioneer.
Greg Mortimer from Aurora Expeditions says his crew have told him that the stranded ship has a hole in its hull but there is no risk of it sinking.
"Everyone's safe and sound," he said.
"They have got a small hole in their hull unfortunately but everyone's in good order, the ship's stable and they're happy enough for people to stay on the vessel overnight and be taken off in the morning.
The head of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, Steve Wellmeier, says it is not clear what caused the accident.
"We don't see it as indicative of any trend in tourism. So we look at the track record and look at this for what it is - an accident, an unfortunate accident," he said.
"Fortunately, everyone is safe at the present time and it look's like they'll remain that way."
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