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GAP Adventures acquires replacement ship
GAP Adventures, which lost the ship MS Explorer when it sank in the Antarctic last year, has acquired a replacement vessel.
The operator is spending £8 million on the purchase and refit of larger vessel MS Expedition.
The Swedish-flagged ship, which has been operating in Scandinavian coastal waters, is due to enter service offering Antarctic trips from January 2009.
A full brochure is due out before the end of August detailing itineraries.
CAP Adventures CEO Bruce Poon Tip said the vessel can accommodate 132 passengers but will sail with 120 to give the option for single occupancy cabins.
MS Expedition is to undergo an extensive four-month overhaul before entering service with GAP Adventures on January 4 next year.
The newly acquired vessel is 345ft long compared with MS Explorer at 275ft in length.
Poon Tip said the operator had been able to lease in a replacement vessel to run half last winter’s Antarctic itineraries but the brochure for 2009 sailings had to be delayed until a new vessel was acquired.
The half season sold out despite the loss of the MS Explorer, which led to 150 passengers and crew being rescued.
“It was an unfortunate accident and was something that couldn’t be avoided,†he said.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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