Report on marine casualty involving the cruise ship ‘Viking Polaris’ south-east of Cape Horn, 29 November 2022
Marine report 2023/06
On 28 November 2022, there was an incident involving one of the ship’s Zodiacs in Antarctica. One passenger was injured and another ended up in the water. Following the incident, the ship had to interrupt the cruise to perform a medical evacuation. On 29 November 2022 the ship was therefore crossing the Drake Passage from Antarctica to Ushuaia, when she was hit by a breaking wave just south-east of Cape Horn. The accident caused seven stateroom windows to break and caused major damage inside the staterooms in question. One passenger died and eight were injured. The investigation has shown that the ship was struck by a breaking wave that, in combination with the ship’s course and speed, caused the windows to shatter. At the time of the accident, the crew did not have the sufficient premises for predicting the risk associated with a breaking wave reaching so high up on the shipside with such great force. Further, the investigation has shown that the pressure from the breaking wave exceeded what the windows were designed to withstand. It is not identified rules for ships or ship windows which accounts for the effects of breaking waves towards the shipside.
The NSIA is of the opinion that the windows were inadequately dimensioned and that the design pressure requirements in the current regulations for windows in this position yield too low values to be able to withstand pressure loads from breaking waves within the extent of the validity of the rules.
In the Drake Passage and other areas with similar weather conditions will have a probability of breaking waves that has to be taken into account when operating in these waters. It is therefore a possibility that ‘Viking Polaris’ and her sister ship ‘Viking Octantis’ will be exposed to breaking waves against the side of the ship if they are operating in beam sea with increasing wind. The NSIA considers that a robust design that takes account of breaking waves will be a necessary barrier to reduce the probability of damages to the shipside. The current dimensioning of the windows means that they will not be able to withstand the pressure from all breaking waves which may arise within the extent of validity of the rules.
Published 29.11.2023
Update 7 February 2024
In this investigation the United States of America (USA) were considered Substantially Interested State (SIS) in accordance with the Norwegian Maritime Code section 474. The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) has been the lead investigating authority. Personnel from USCG Activities Europe participated and assisted the NSIA throughout the investigation. The USCG has developed a “Final Action Memo” which include comments to the NSIA report. The memo can be downloaded on the right hand side of this page or from the USCG web page.
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/07T
On 29 November 2022, the cruise ship ‘Viking Polaris’ was en route from Antarctica to Ushuaia in Argentina when a breaking wave struck the ship’s side south-east of Cape Horn. The wave shattered the windows of seven cabins, resulting in one fatality and injuring another eight passengers.
The investigation has shown that the sea conditions at the time of the accident were within the sea states defined in the wave scatter diagram the ship was designed for. No faults of significance to the outcome of the incident have been identified in the design basis. However, it is revealed that the minimum requirements in the IACS class rules, including DNV, doesn’t provide a dimensioning minimum pressure sufficient to withstand a breaking wave. The NSIA is of the opinion that the windows were insufficiently dimensioned to withstand the pressure loads from this breaking wave, and that the applicable IACS rules, international requirements and standards give too low values to withstand the pressure loads from breaking waves within the validity of the rules and regulations.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that DNV promote the problem in question in the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to ensure that all class rules, independent of class society, are developed to include requirements that account for breaking waves against the shipside. This also has to be reflected in DNV's own rules.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/08T
On 29 November 2022, the cruise ship ‘Viking Polaris’ was en route from Antarctica to Ushuaia in Argentina when a breaking wave struck the ship’s side south-east of Cape Horn. The wave shattered the windows of seven cabins, resulting in one fatality and injuring another eight passengers.
Wind speeds that could cause waves to break are common for much of the year in the Drake Passage and the area where the accident happened. Under such conditions, it is therefore a possibility that ‘Viking Polaris’ and her sister ship ‘Viking Octantis’ will be exposed to breaking waves hitting the side of the ship. The NSIA considers that a robust design that takes account of breaking waves will constitute a stronger barrier than operational measures alone. The current dimensioning of the windows means that they will not be able to withstand the pressure from all breaking waves which may arise within the extent of validity of the rules and regulations.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority, which has the overall responsibility for safety at sea for vessels flying the Norwegian flag, ensure that Viking Expedition Ship II LTD conducts reinforcements to ensure that breaking waves do not cause damage to windows on the two existing expedition vessels.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2023/09T
On 29 November 2022, the cruise ship ‘Viking Polaris’ was en route from Antarctica to Ushuaia in Argentina when a breaking wave struck the ship’s side south-east of Cape Horn. The wave shattered the windows of seven cabins, resulting in one fatality and injuring another eight passengers.
Wind speeds that could cause waves to break are common for much of the year in the Drake Passage and the area where the accident happened. Under such conditions, it is therefore a possibility that ‘Viking Polaris’ and her sister ship ‘Viking Octantis’ will be exposed to breaking waves hitting the side of the ship. The NSIA considers that a robust design that takes account of breaking waves will constitute a stronger barrier than operational measures alone. The current dimensioning of the windows means that they will not be able to withstand the pressure from all breaking waves which may arise within the extent of validity of the rules and regulations.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Viking Expedition Ship II LTD, in cooperation with Wilhelmsen Ship Management (Norway) AS, implement reinforcements to ensure that breaking waves do not damage the windows on the two existing expedition vessels.
Facts
| Location | South-east of Cape Horn |
| Occurrence date | 29.11.2022 |
| Accident category | Weather damage |
| Area | International Waters |
| IMO number | 9863209 |
| Name of vessel | Viking Polaris |
| Accident type | Fatal Accident, Weather damage, Passenger accident |
| Vessel type | Passenger Ship - Ferry |
| Register | The Norwegian International Ship Register |