Two expedition cruise vessels were involved in a minor berthing incident at the port of Ushuaia (Argentina) on Tuesday, January 6th, following a period of severe weather that disrupted harbour operations. The ships concerned were Viking Octantis and World Voyager, both of which were alongside at the time.
Local accounts indicated that strong winds placed excessive strain on the mooring lines of World Voyager, leading to their failure and allowing the vessel to move off the berth. As the ship drifted, its bow came into contact with the stern of Viking Octantis, which was secured at an adjacent position. The incident occurred during storm conditions and was recorded on video that subsequently circulated in local media.
Inspections were carried out immediately by port authorities and the crews of both vessels. These initial examinations identified only superficial damage, with no indication of structural compromise. On the basis of these findings, the operators confirmed that planned Antarctic itineraries would proceed without alteration. Both vessels departed Ushuaia on schedule two days later and are now transiting the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica.
A formal review of the incident is expected to be undertaken by the ship operators in coordination with local authorities. The inquiry is likely to examine the prevailing weather conditions and the adequacy of the mooring arrangements in place at the time. World Voyager is owned by Mystic Cruises and operated by Atlas Ocean Voyages, while Viking Octantis forms part of Viking Ocean Cruises’ expedition fleet.
The event took place during the height of the Antarctic cruise season, when Ushuaia serves as the principal gateway for expedition traffic to the continent. Both vessels operate primarily for English-speaking markets and are representative of the expanding presence of expedition cruise operators in the region.