Ocean Explorer: Attempt to rescue luxury cruise ship stranded with 206 onboard in Greenland Arctic fails

A recent attempt to free the luxury cruise ship, Ocean Explorer, which ran aground two days ago in a remote part of Greenland, has proven unsuccessful, according to Denmark’s armed forces. The Ocean Explorer has been trapped in mud and silt within the Alpefjord national park since Monday, approximately 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) northeast of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as reported by the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command (JAC). In a bid to extricate the stranded vessel, a sizeable fish trawler made an effort during Wednesday’s high tide, but regrettably, the operation did not yield the desired results, as announced by the JAC. Armed forces personnel stationed in Greenland have conducted inspections aboard the Ocean Explorer and engaged with those on board. Their assessment indicates that, despite the challenging circumstances, both the crew and passengers are in good spirits. The Danish navy’s Knud Rasmussen patrol vessel is anticipated to reach the Alpefjord location on Friday afternoon, as stated by the JAC. A spokesperson from the JAC remarked, “If everything goes well, they will help the ship get out of this emergency that they’re in at this moment. But it depends on how everything looks when they arrive on Friday so we need to see how it goes.” Meanwhile, Australian cruise operator Aurora Expeditions has affirmed the safety of the passengers and crew who remain aboard the stranded vessel. They stated, “There is no immediate danger to themselves, the vessel or the surrounding environment.” Photographs released by the Danish military depict the Ocean Explorer sitting upright in calm waters with the sun shining. Greenland, a semi-sovereign territory of Denmark, with a population of just 57,000, lures tourists with its rugged landscapes and the vast ice cap that blankets much of the island. (With inputs from agencies)