SH Diana resumes sailing following ‘prompt and efficient’ repairs
Swan Hellenic’s SH Diana has resumed sailing less than 40 hours after it experienced technical issues on route to Antarctica
A technical team organised by Wärtsilä, the maker of SH Diana’s propulsion system, and other specialists called out to assist in Ushuaia, have completed the repair to one of the ship’s electric propulsion motors and all the related tests.
It comes after the line was forced to divert the vessel last week when a propulsion motor problem was detected while in South Georgia on the 12th day of a 20-night cruise from South Africa to Antarctica, which departed Cape Town on 13 November.
For safety reasons, captain Svein-Rune Stromnes decided to curtail the voyage and proceed immediately to the closest safe port, Ushuaia, which was also the cruise’s port of arrival.
Spare parts were sourced and technicians mobilised in record time despite the logistical challenges of the remote location, enabling the repair work to start immediately when SH Diana docked in port on 1 December.
The vessel consequently sailed early this morning (5 December), local time, and then completed a series of final sea trials and a minor adjustment in the Beagle Channel before proceeding 36 hours behind schedule on its first dedicated Antarctic cultural expedition cruise of the 2024-2025 season.
Given the margin built into the schedules of Swan Hellenic’s Antarctic cruises to allow for weather and other disruptions, the company is certain this delay will not lead to reduction in the time scheduled for exploring the Antarctic Peninsula.
Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito said: “We are pleased that the prompt and efficient coordination of all parties involved on board and ashore enabled SH Diana to depart for Antarctica with less than about 40 hours’ delay.
“We have as always been attentive to our cruise guests during this time, arranging special excursions of Ushuaia and experiences aboard, which have been greatly appreciated. We now wish them exceptional explorations of the White Continent.”
