Antarctic cruise ship tossed by massive waves

 

Dramatic amateur footage of a cruise ship being buffetted by 30ft waves in high seas off the Antarctic peninsula has been captured by passengers aboard a nearby vessel.

The Clelia II declared an emergency on Tuesday, reporting it had lost an engine amid heavy seas and 55 miles per hour winds when it was northeast of the Shetland Islands and about 500 miles from Ushuaia.

The ship, operated by Polar Cruises of Bend, Oregon, has 100 passengers and 60 crew members aboard, according to the Argentine Navy. All were reported safe.

The Navy said the cruise ship was heading for the port of Ushuia at the extreme south of Argentina at four knots (about five miles per hour) on Wednesday and was accompanied by a naval vessel. 

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