Chile navy rescues four from Antarctic ship

Chile navy rescues four from Antarctic ship

April, 2012

SANTIAGO — Four Brazilians filming a documentary off the Antarctic coast were rescued by the Chilean navy after their ship became stuck in the ice, Chilean media said Monday.

Officials told the daily El Mercurio that the four Brazilians were safe and sound after their vessel Mar Sem Fim (Endless Sea) was trapped in icy, windy conditions near the Chilean Antarctic naval base.

The boat capsized in 100-kilometer (60 mile) per hour winds on Saturday near the Chilean base, about 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south of tip of South America, said the head of Chilean base in Antarctica, Eduardo Rubilar.

The ship was carrying four Brazilians filming on a documentary about navigation and the landscape of Antarctica.

Joao Lara, journalist and leader of the Brazilian expedition, praised the navy for the “risky maneuver” and said “they handled the situation in a controlled manner when the wind was very strong.”

The Brazilians were taken to the southern Chilean port of Punta Arenas.

Chilean officials said it will monitor the area for a possible oil leak and will attempt to refloat the vessel in the summer season.

Know more about Mar Sem Fim