After Iceberg Sunk Cruise Ship, Antarctic Tourism Sinking

After bearing 5 hours in sub-zero temperatures, passengers and crew of the MS Explorer are now safe and sound. Environmentalists and the Antarctica tourism industry, however, are in distress.

This past Friday, the MS Explorer went down after hitting an iceberg. Passengers spent several hours in lifeboats before rescue workers could reach them. In such unfamiliar Arctic territory, help would not necessarily be so close at hand, reported Australia’s ABC Premium News.

Then there are environmental law issues — Antarctica’s fragile environment lacks strong sanctions. According to the New York Times, both the United States and Britain have requested laws to define environmental responsibility, especially in the case of oil damage from sinking cruise ships.

While the rescue may have been a success, others wonder if the MS Explorer’s 48,000 gallons of submerged marine diesel fuel may present an environmental disaster.

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