Russian-flagged polar expedition cruise ship Akademic Ioffe (IMO 8507731), which went aground in the Canadian Arctic on August 24th and which was refloated on August 25th, is in a stable condition, according to the Canadian Coast Guard, with no evidence of any environmental impact.
The 117-meter, 6,230 gt polar expedition cruise ship Akademik Ioffe had about 160 people on board when it ran aground in the western Gulf of Boothia on the morning of August 24.
Canadian operator One Ocean Expeditions diverted Ioffe’s sister vessel, Akademik Sergey Vavilov, to take the passengers, who disembarked by zodiac onto Sergey Vavilov for transport to Kugaaruk, Nunavut, before traveling to Edmonton, Alberta for flights home. No injuries were reported.
Akademik Ioffe reportedly suffered some damage, but the severity is unknown.
The Canadian Coast Guard deployed a pair of icebreakers, CCGS Pierre Radisson and the CCGS Amundsen, to the scene.
Ioffe remains at anchor until a port of call is confirmed. Once it arrives there, any necessary repairs will be undertaken.
Akademik Ioffe is one of three ice strengthened oceanographic vessels in One Ocean Expeditions’ fleet. She can carry up to 96 passengers, with 65 staff and crew.
Other crew members on the damaged vessel stayed behind following the transfer of passengers. 1989-built, Russia-flagged, 6,450 gt Akademik Ioffe is owned and managed by the Shirshov Institute, Moscow, Russia.