The next cruise has been canceled while the travel agency examines the incident.
A woman was killed and four others were injured when a “rogue wave” struck a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
At 10:40 p.m. local time on Wednesday, the Viking Polaris was heading towards the Argentinian resort town of Ushuaia as part of its Antarctic Explorer voyage.
The tour agency reported that the ship “suffered minor damage” and arrived in Ushuaia, 1,926 miles south of Buenos Aires the following afternoon without further incident.
A spokeswoman added, “It is with great sadness that we confirm that a guest died as a result of the incident.”
We have informed the guest’s family and extended our deepest condolences.
Argentinian authorities told the Associated Press that the passenger was a 62-year-old American woman.
She was struck by splintered glass after the wave damaged the cabin’s windows.
The four injured guests were treated by the ship’s medical crew.
What transpired has been deemed a “rogue wave event” by Viking, and an investigation has been initiated.
Rogue waves are typically defined as waves that are double the height of the area’s notable waves.
The significant wave height is the average of the top one-third of waves; hence, a rogue wave is significantly larger than the others.
Tim Janssen, a research scientist, was quoted in National Geographic as saying that one of the finest examples is the New Year’s Wave of 1995 when a 26-meter wave struck an oil rig in the North Sea off Norway.
Viking has canceled the ship’s next scheduled departure, the Antarctic Explorer itinerary from 5 to 17 December, and is working with staff and passengers to assist them in arranging alternative transportation.
The Viking Polaris, which was introduced earlier this year and features luxurious amenities, can accommodate 378 passengers and 256 crew members.
