Cruise Ship Pulled Free in Alpefjord, Greenland

The cruise ship Ocean Explorer, which ran aground in Alpefjord in Greenland on Monday, was pulled free on Thursday, the Danish Armed Forces' Arctic Command reports on Facebook. 

Before the inspection vessel Knud Rasmussen from the Arctic Command arrived, the Institute of Nature's research ship Tarajoq managed to pull free the grounded cruise ship. 

"Arctic Command is responsible for the safety of the sea around Greenland. Until Ocean Explorer has progressed safely, we are therefore following the situation closely," says Commander Captain Brian Jensen of the Arctic Command.

Ocean Explorer will now sail to a port designated by the Maritime Board for a closer examination. The planning of this lies in the Maritime Board, the shipping company, and other involved players.

“We’re really happy that it went so well and that the passengers and crew of the ship can now see an end to the difficult situation they’ve been in for the last few days. "Regardless that no one was in direct danger, I understand if being stuck in such a deserted area with no possibility to move forward has been uncomfortable," says Brian Jensen.