2011 Press Releases
The Ban on Heavy Fuel Oil in the Antarctic Treaty Area: An Update from IAATO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
November 21, Providence, RI. IAATO today issued a clarification on an IMO regulation that came into force earlier this year banning the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Antarctic Treaty Area and how its members are dealing with the ban.
“IAATO and its members have received calls from prospective Antarctic travelers and from the media confused about the HFO ban,” said Steve Wellmeier, executive director of IAATO. “There is some misunderstanding on the extent of the ban’s impact on Antarctica-bound cruise vessels, particularly the larger passenger vessels that generally use fuels defined as HFO.”
Media outlets have erroneously reported, for example, that large ships are banned altogether from operating in Antarctic waters as a result of the amendment to Annex 1 of the IMO MARPOL Convention, which came into effect August 1, 2011. This is not the case at all, according to Wellmeier.
IAATO Launches New Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
November 21, Providence, RI. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has launched a new website, providing a wealth of new information for prospective travelers to Antarctica. The new site also features an expanded Media Center for journalists and enhanced features for IAATO members.
“The familiar URL www.iaato.org remains the same, but the similarity stops there,” noted IAATO Executive Director Steve Wellmeier. “The new site provides much better graphics and navigation tools, including a search function and site map. One of our goals is to provide accurate information for the Antarctic traveler, particularly in the area of environmental stewardship, guidelines for visitors, and answers to the many questions they might have.”
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) Announces Visitor Statistics for 2010-11 Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
June 14, 2011, Providence, RI, USA. With the formal end of the season in the Antarctic, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has released its final numbers for 2010-11. The total number of visitors to the region traveling with IAATO member-operators was 33,824. This includes those traveling on traditional expedition ships, yachts, larger cruise-only vessels as well visitors participating in land programs. The overall seasonal results reflect a decrease of 8.3 percent from last year's total of 36,875 passengers.
In reviewing the numbers by category, traditional small and medium-size expedition ships — which carry 500 or fewer passengers and conduct landings — accounted for 18,534 passengers. There were a total of 14,373 passengers in the cruise-only category; e.g. larger vessels that carry more than 500 passengers and only travel through the area without disembarking their guests ashore in Antarctica.
IAATO Members Reaffirm Commitment to Antarctic Tourism Management Practices, Programs at Annual Meeting in Hobart, Australia
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June 14, 2011, Providence, RI, USA. Members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) concluded their 22nd Annual Meeting with notable progress on a number of programs and initiatives.
These included the launching of a pilot phase of the IAATO Enhanced Observer program; a broader rollout and expansion of the Online Assessment program for expedition staff and guides; and the continued commitment in educational outreach to the non-IAATO Antarctica-bound yachting community.
The four-day meeting, held May 9-12 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, was attended by more than 80 members, government representatives and Antarctica-related organizations from more than a dozen countries. The meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of IAATO as an industry association.
Statement from IAATO regarding Berserk Antarctic Expedition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
March 3, 2011, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. IAATO has been following with great concern the reports received from the Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand (RCCNZ) along with other media updates on the missing Norwegian sailing yacht Berserk in the Ross Sea.
This tragic event reiterates the ongoing necessity and importance of Antarctic Treaty System authorization protocols, as well as IAATO guidelines and contingency plans.
We are an international, member-based organization dedicated to safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica. For 20 years, our members have worked collaboratively with their national authorities to successfully integrate these processes into their diverse business models. The Berserk and its Norwegian owner/operator Jarle Andhoy are not IAATO members, and did not have proper authorization or permits for their Antarctica expedition.
Statement from IAATO regarding the Missing Sailing Yacht Berserk
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
February 23, 2011, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. IAATO has received recent reports from the Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand (RCCNZ) on the missing sailing yacht Berserk in the Ross Sea off the coast of Antarctica. For news updates and ongoing information, go to http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/News/Latest-media.asp or call +64 (0) 4 499 7318.
The Berserk and its owner/operator are not IAATO members, but we have learned that an IAATO vessel The Spirit of Enderby (also identified as the Professor Khromov in press reports), operated by IAATO-Member Heritage Expeditions of New Zealand, has been asked to participate in the search. Consequently, we are following developments of this incident with great interest and concern.
MV Polar Star Passengers Safely Disembark in Ushuaia; Company Cancels Balance of Antarctic Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
February 8, 2011. The MV Polar Star — along with the 70 passengers that were transferred to other IAATO vessels in the South Shetland Islands last week — safely returned to Ushuaia, Argentina February 6. The transfer of passenger followed an incident on January 31 in which the outer hull of the MV Polar Star was breached.
Polar Star Expeditions reports that all its passengers disembarked Sunday morning from the MV Marina Svetaeva, the MV Ushuaia and the MS Expedition, and were assisted by company personnel in arranging their home-bound journeys. The MV Polar Star, which returned with no difficulties and with its full complement of crew and expedition staff aboard, is currently in Ushuaia. According to Company President Martin Karlsen, an assessment of the damage by a team of divers, the Polar Star Expeditions' marine superintendent and DNV officials has resulted in the cancellation of the balance of the Antarctic season. The ship will proceed to dry dock for permanent repair.
Passengers of MV Polar Star Now Returning to Ushuaia
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February 3, 2011. Polar Star Expeditions reports that the transfer of passengers from its MV Polar Star is proceeding with no problem, with 62 passengers now safely aboard two other IAATO vessels and returning to Ushuaia, Argentina. The remaining passengers are expected to transfer to a third IAATO ship this evening.
Earlier today, 42 passengers were transferred to the MV Marina Svetaeva, operated by One Ocean Expeditions of Edmonton, Canada. Twenty additional MV Polar Star passengers were transferred to the MV Ushuaia of Ushuaia-based Antarpply Expeditions.
Eight passengers will transfer this evening to the MV Expedition, operated by GAP Adventures of Toronto Canada. The remaining ten manifested passengers — who are actually comprised of MV Polar Star lecture and field staff — will stay aboard, along with the 35 crew members, for the return voyage to Ushuaia, once the final transfer to the MV Expedition takes place.
All three receiving vessels involved in the return of the MV Polar Star passengers — as well as the MV Polar Star itself — are expected to arrive in Ushuaia Sunday morning, February 6.
Plans Progress for Return of MV Polar Star to Ushuaia, Argentina
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February 2, 2011. Polar Star Expeditions reports that following an underwater inspection of the MV Polar Star's outer hull, it has decided to disembark the ship's 80 passengers at King George Island in the South Shetland Islands as a precautionary measure before crossing the Drake Passage and returning to Ushuaia, Argentina.
The company is currently arranging alternative transportation for its passengers via other IAATO vessels back to Ushuaia, where the MV Polar Star was originally scheduled to return on February 6. The Halifax-based company also announced that the February 6 Antarctica cruise aboard MV Polar Star would be canceled.
Martin Karlsen, president of Polar Star Expeditions, stated that the double-hulled vessel traveled uneventfully and at normal cruising speed from Detaille Island to the Polish Arctowski Station on King George Island. The ship arrived on schedule at 0900 local time this morning at Arctowski, where station divers assessed the damage to the outer hull.
IAATO information update regarding the MV Polar Star
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
February 1, 2011. The MV Polar Star received permission from its flag state and classification society to depart its location near Detaille Island, and is now proceeding north along the Antarctic Peninsula, with the intention to return to Ushuaia, Argentina under its own power with all passengers and crew aboard.
In making the announcement, Polar Star Expeditions reports that following yesterday's incident when the double-hulled ship touched a rock that resulted in a minor breach of the outer hull, officers and crew spent the day assessing damage, taking corrective measures, and consulting with the Halifax home office, flag state and classification society officials.
Last evening at approximately 2100 local time, the MV Polar Star departed its location near Detaille Island and is currently heading north-northeast at approximately 10 knots toward Arctowski Station, a Polish research facility on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands. There, as an added precaution, station divers will make an underwater inspection to confirm that the vessel is fit to return to Ushuaia, where passengers will disembark and further assessments of damage and repairs will be made. The company added that an estimated time of arrival in Ushuaia would be announced tomorrow, once the ship departs Arctowski Station.
IAATO Update issued at 1400 UTC regarding Incident involving the MV Polar Star
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
January 31, 2011. Polar Star Expeditions of Halifax, Canada is reporting that the company's expedition vessel MV Polar struck an un-surveyed rock — reported at S 66° 51.37' W 66° 47.81' — while anchoring just north of Detaille Island at the Antarctic Peninsula. The incident occurred at approximately 1130 UTC, or 0830 local time. The MV Polar Star is currently floating free, unassisted in 37 meters of water.
While facts are still being gathered, an initial assessment of damage by Captain Jacek Majer indicates a breech to the outer hull, with the inner hull intact. Reports indicate that the vessel's emergency response systems have been effective in dealing with the breech. The relevant Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCC) have been alerted and are assessing the situation. Other IAATO vessels in the vicinity have also been notified.