Friday 20 April 2012

IAATO increasingly concerned on recent yacht related incidents in Antarctic waters

The Brazilian motor yacht ‘Mar Sem Fim’
crushed by ice on April 7 in Maxwell Bay,
South Shetland Islands.

Recent incidents and sightings involving yachts in Antarctic waters have generated considerable interest and concern among the members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

The incidents and reports – some of which have been covered by the media – involve commercial and private yachts not associated in any way with IAATO, according to Administrative Director Steve Wellmeier. Some of the incidents include:

The sinking of the Brazilian motor yacht ‘Mar Sem Fim’ April 7 in Maxwell Bay, South Shetland Islands. The four Brazilian passengers and crew were rescued unharmed by the Chilean Navy and transported by air from the nearby Presidente Eduardo Frei airstrip to Punta Arenas, Chile. The suspected cause of the sinking was compression of ice following severe weather the day earlier.

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