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Survivors Recall Ordeal

Norwegian captain confirms 154 souls rescued and in good health

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 23, 2007 7:05 PM CST

(Newser) – Safe and warm on an Antarctic island, passengers of the sunken Explorer recounted their ordeal in high spirits today, the Times reports. One said they heard a loud bang after midnight, and were called up as the ship started listing. “Then the electricity cut out and we lost the engine,” one said. "At 3 o’clock an order was given to abandon ship." That, he said, is when the "Titanic" jokes started.

“There was a lot of joke-telling. It’s the most bizarre thing that people tell Titanic jokes." Knowing ships were nearby, they stayed in good spirits, although they braved the wet and cold for five hours before a Norwegian cruise liner picked them up. Billed as an “adventure travel experience”—“the go-anywhere ship for the go-anywhere traveller"—the cruise set back each of the 156 survivors roughly $8,000.

Passengers from the Canadian cruise ship Explorer sit in lifeboats after the Explorer struck submerged ice off of Antarctica and began taking on water, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. No injuries were reported although passengers reportedly endured subfreezing temperatures for several hours as they waited in bobbing lifeboats for a Norwegian...
Passengers from the Canadian cruise ship Explorer sit in lifeboats after the Explorer struck submerged ice off of Antarctica and began taking on water, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. No injuries were reported...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by the Chile's Navy, empty bobbing lifeboats are seen in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, after passengers from the Canadian ship MS Explorer were plucked to safety by a passing ship. The Explorer struck submerged ice and began to sink. No injuries were reported, although...
In this photo released by the Chile's Navy, empty bobbing lifeboats are seen in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, after passengers from the Canadian ship MS Explorer were plucked to safety by a...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Chile's Navy, passengers of the Canadian ship MS Explorer arrive at Fildes bay on King George Island, Antarctica, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007.  The Explorer struck submerged ice and began to sink. No injuries were reported, although all 154 tourists and crew endured subfreezing temperatures while...
In this photo released by Chile's Navy, passengers of the Canadian ship MS Explorer arrive at Fildes bay on King George Island, Antarctica, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. The Explorer struck submerged ice and...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Chile's Navy, the Liberian-flagged Explorer cruise ship is seen sinking after it hit an object in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, some 880 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia, the southernmost Argentine city. More than 150 passengers and crew took to lifeboats after the ship hit...
In this photo released by Chile's Navy, the Liberian-flagged Explorer cruise ship is seen sinking after it hit an object in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, some 880 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Chile's Navy, the Liberian-flagged Explorer cruise ship is seen sinking after it hit an object in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, some 880 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia, the southernmost Argentine city. More than 150 passengers and crew took to lifeboats after the ship hit...
In this photo released by Chile's Navy, the Liberian-flagged Explorer cruise ship is seen sinking after it hit an object in Antarctic waters, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007, some 880 kilometers southeast of Ushuaia,...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Chile's Air Force, a passenger of the Canadian ship MS Explorer, left, arrives at Fildes bay on King George Island, Antarctica, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007.  The Explorer struck submerged ice and began to sink. No injuries were reported, although all 154 tourists and crew endured...
In this photo released by Chile's Air Force, a passenger of the Canadian ship MS Explorer, left, arrives at Fildes bay on King George Island, Antarctica, Friday, Nov. 23, 2007. The Explorer struck submerged...   (Associated Press)
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