KEY POINTS:
The cruise ship that ran aground off Antarctica with 105 people on board, including three New Zealanders, was refloated yesterday after a third attempt.
The Bahamian-flagged Ocean Nova came away with the assistance of the late evening high tide and will return to Ushuaia, Argentina's southernmost city, where the 15-day voyage started.
All 64 passengers and 41 crew aboard had been taken to another ship in the Connecticut-based Quark Expeditions' fleet, the Clipper Adventurer.
The 73m-long Ocean Nova ran aground on Tuesday morning when winds were high and was unable to break free after trying twice during rising tides. Quark said that "continuing high winds thwarted the attempt to dislodge" the ship on Wednesday.
The company said those on board were not in danger.
Patrick Shaw, president of Quark, said: "The experience of Captain Per Gravesen and his crew and the special construction of the vessel, which was built for polar waters, have played a significant role in ensuring the safety of our guests during this incident."
Divers from the nearby Spanish naval vessel Hesperides yesterday took video during an inspection of the ship's hull. Maritime experts reviewed the tape and said the ship had not been damaged and it had not started leaking.
It will be inspected in Ushuaia on its return and, if all is well, will operate its next voyage departing on Sunday. The 20-day trip travels to the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the Falkland Islands.
"We are grateful that no environmental damage occurred and that all travellers who were aboard Ocean Nova are safe," said Mr Shaw.
The voyage, entitled Crossing the Circle: Southern Expedition, journeys south of the Antarctic Circle offering at least three activities off the ship per day including camping and kayaking.
