VIKING POLARIS

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Course/Position

Latest news

Report: Windows were undersized for pressure of breaking waves

The Accident Investigation Board has published its report on the fatal accident on the "Viking Polaris" on Nov 29, 2022, south of Cape Horn, and found out that the windows were undersized. One passenger died and eight were injured. As a result of the accident, the ship had to interrupt the cruise to carry out a medical evacuation. Seven cabins had their windows smashed in the accident. The investigation has shown that the pressure from the breaking wave was far higher than what the windows were designed for. The Accident Investigation Board believes that the windows were not dimensioned for the force from this breaking wave, and that the current IACS regulations and international requirements and standards give too low values to be able to withstand pressure loads from breaking waves within the scope of the regulations. The investigation has shown that the vessel was hit by a breaking wave which, in combination with the vessel's course and speed, caused the windows to shatter. At the time of the accident, the crew did not have the prerequisites to anticipate the risk associated with a breaking wave hitting so high up on the ship's side, with such great force and challenging the windows' endurance.

US Coast Guard joins investigation into fatal incident

The US Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have joined an inquiry into the accident of the 'Viking Polaris', which was hit by a large wave south of Cape Horn on Nov 29, 2022, that killed one U.S. citizen and injured four others. Earlier, a U.S. passenger from the vessel was injured when an inflatable boat from the vessel experienced a keel-tube failure off Damoy Point on Nov 28, 2022. The victim's injury was serious enough that the 'Viking Polaris' headed back to Ushuaia early in order to get a higher level of medical care. Since Americans were impacted by the incident, U.S. authorities were joining the investigations as a "substantially interested state." Argentine port state authorities have reportedly closed their inquiry, but Norway as the flag state will be leading a separate investigation into both incidents involving the vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard and the NTSB have sent teams to Ushuaia, where they will participate in the inquiries and gather information with the goal of improving operational safety.