In the 1960s, traveling to Antarctica by sea was extremely challenging due to the icy conditions. A Swedish American businessman took on this challenge and aimed to build a ship capable of navigating through the icy waters. The MV Explorer, a massive vessel weighing over 2300 tons and measuring 240 feet in length, was constructed for this purpose.
Though smaller in size compared to the Titanic, the MV Explorer boasted significant power and a unique design that allowed it to move through ice. In 2004, a tourist organization from Toronto purchased the ship, and in November 2007, it set sail from Argentina to Antarctica with 100 passengers on board.
Guided by a 49-year-old fisherman serving as the captain, the ship faced a critical decision during the journey. Instead of following the traditional route, the captain opted for a new path through the ice-covered region on the evening of November 22. However, in the middle of the night, the ship abruptly stopped with a loud noise, having become stuck in heavy ice.
Despite the captain’s efforts to free the ship, a crack emerged, allowing water to slowly seep in. Initially downplaying the situation, the captain eventually realized the severity as water rapidly filled the cabin. With all lifeboats prepared, the order to evacuate the ship was given.
The ship, merely 46 km away from its destination, faced a dire situation. After enduring the cold for four hours, another ship arrived to rescue the passengers and crew. Everyone was successfully rescued, but the MV Explorer remains submerged beneath the sea.
