Le-Soleal

The 'Le Soléal' on a trip around New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands has headed to Bluff on Jan 5, 2023, to drop off an injured passenger could seek medical treatment. She had slipped and fractured her shoulder on a two-week cruise of the sub-antarctic. The passenger was said to be well and not at risk but had disembarked in Bluff in the afternoon to be taken care of. The 'Le Soléal' then headed back out to sea, continuing its itinerary as scheduled. The vessel was due to visit Macquarie Island, Campbell Island and the Antipodes Islands, before returning to Dunedin on Jan 11.

The "Le Soleal" left Puerto Natales, where it was moored after damaging a propeller on Nov 14 in the Kirke Canal, to set sail for Talcahuano where it will be repaired. The ship with the 155 crew members on board was being assisted by the Chilean tug "Cucao" (IMO: 9525431), during the entire trip. After being towed along the coasts of the Aysén Region, arrived at Talcahuano on Nov 23 and then entered the Shipyard Asmar Talcahuano to be repaired. She sailed again on Dec 22, bound to New Falkland Island, ETA Dec 27.

The 222 passengers of the "Le Soleal" finally left from Punta Arenas airport over the week end terminating their several days unexpected adventure which started on Nov 14 when the vessel suffered damages in attempting to reach the port of Natales while accessing the Kirke passage leading to Puerto Natales. The ship scraped the bottom of the fiord affecting a propeller, shaft and seal, leaving the vessel stranded but with everybody on board safe and sound. There was a quick support response from the Chilean navy and on Nov 16 a tug assisted the ship 12 kilometers to the bay of Puerto Natales where she anchored. Passengers were given the option to visit the city or travel to the Torres del Paine national Park and later spent the night on board. On Nov 17 the passengers were transported by bus to Punta Arenas from where they flew back home. 30 passengers went to Ushuaia to reach the "Le Lyrial" for a 10 day trip to Antarctic. The "Le Soleal" will remain in Puerto Natales until it receives authorization from the Chilean navy and port authorities to sail to a dry dock for repairs where a new propeller will be installed. The "Le Soleal" will be back in full service on Nov 30, but the cruise scheduled to leave from Ushuaia on Nov 20 has been cancelled. Report with photo: http://en.mercopress.com/2018/11/19/stranded-le-soleal-cruise-passengers-fly-home-cruise-line-reviews-schedules