Lindblad Expeditions’ National Geographic Orion suffered power failure as the expedition ship was leaving Antarctica. It suffered engine failure while returning to the port of Ushuaia in Argentina.
The ship has now returned via the Drake Passage to port in Ushuaia after sailing at reduced speed.
Lindblad Expeditions canceled its December 27th sailing as well as cruises in January.
"A team of engineers has been dispatched and is on their way to Ushuaia to assess the full impact of the technical issues. Once the evaluation is completed, we will release additional information," Lindblad Expeditions told Cruise Critic.
Online AIS shows a bizarre tracking pattern as the Orion is back at port in Ushuaia.
Lindblad Expeditions was last mentioned here in March 2013 when the National Geographical Sea Lion struck a submerged rock causing damage to the hull of the vessel and a propeller. The 62 passenger vessel was departing the Las Perlas Islands, 70 miles from Panama City, when it struck a rock, causing it to undergo repairs in dry dock.