Evacuation planned for Polar Star passengers

Polar Star Expeditions is now organizing an evacuation for the 80 passengers aboard the Polar Star, the expedition cruise ship that was damaged on Monday in Antarctica.

A statement issued late on Wednesday evening by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators says the decision was made after divers inspected the condition of the ship's hull at a Polish research station in the region.

It had been said previously that the outer hull of the double-hulled Polar Star was breached during Monday's collision with an uncharted rock but the damage was minor, and the company initially had planned to sail the ship back to its home port of Ushuaia, Argentina with passengers on board.

However the company now is arranging for the Polar Star's passengers to return to Ushuaia on other expedition cruise ships sailing in the region. The Polar Star then will undergo temporary repairs before sailing back to Ushuaia with only crew on board.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators issued the following statement "Following discussions with the captain and other officials, the company has made the precautionary decision not to cross the Drake Passage with passengers aboard,"

Halifax-based Polar Star Expeditions also has announced the February 6th cruise to Antarctica aboard the Polar Star has been cancelled.