Silversea cruise passengers witness cargo ship sinking

Passengers on the Silversea expedition ship, Prince Albert II witness ecological disaster

Prince Albert II is a purpose built ship specifically designed to navigate waters in some of the world’s roughest and most remote destinations. She left for a 22 day expedition cruise from the port of Ushuaia, Argentina, to Cape Town in South Africa.

The ship carries just 132 guests and 117 crew members and provides adventure seekers with exhilarating journeys into the far corners of the world

A couple onboard John and Helen Ross have told of their amazing story whilst onboard Prinece Albert II.

During the first four days they encountered heavy seas whilst sailing towards Tristan Da Cunha, the most remote inhabited islands in the Atlanctic

Mr Ross said “The night prior to our arrival, we were advised that the 76,000-tonne cargo ship Oliva, had run aground at Nightingale Island, one of the Tristan da Cunha group, It is an incredible situation to think that a ship could hit the remotest islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.”

“We arrived at 6.30am in the morning to a heavy swell of around 5m and 40km winds, to see the Oliva wedged tight against the rocks of the island.”

There was huge concern that the ship would break up, and Prince Albert II was placed on standby to help when the seas subsided. When it became obvious the ship would not survive, expedition team members put their lives at risk to rescue of the 12 remaining crew.

“When they returned, they were covered in black diesel and oil.”

The following afternoon, passengers were told the ship had broken in two. As they sailed back past the wreck, the aft section was at a 45-degree angle, and the forward part of the vessel was about 300m around the corner of the cliff face.

“The tragedy is that 15 tonnes of diesel and oil spilt from the ship and has now completely surrounded Nightingale Island, which is home to a colony of rockhopper penguins and many thousands of beautiful seabirds, including the rare Tristan albatross. There is concern, too, that rats may have escaped onto the rat-free island.

“Help is urgently required, and awareness needs to be raised so help can be rallied to assist in the plight of the wildlife and prevent disasters such as this occurring,” John says.

John and Helen continued their expedition to Cape Town, arriving three weeks after they had set out from Argentina.