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Gene Sloan -
An expedition cruise ship visiting Antarctica with Americans on board was damaged on Monday after striking an uncharted rock.
The 4,998-ton Polar Star currently is floating free from the rock and no one was injured in the incident, but an initial damage assessment shows the ship's outer hull was breached, according to a statement from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.The association says the Polar Star's inner hull remains intact."The captain reports there is no apparent oil spill outside the ship, but booms have been deployed as a precaution," the association says.The Polar Star hit the rock while anchoring just north of Detaille Island at the Antarctic Peninsula, according to the association. It says 80 passengers are on board the vessel including 32 Americans, 9 Canadians and 8 Australians.The association says the region's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers have been alerted and are assessing the situation. Weather reports in the area indicate rain and sleet and temperatures are near freezing, the association says.The incident comes less than two months after another cruise ship visiting Antarctica, the Clelia II, was damaged by large waves.
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