British ice breaker ship "Endurance" arrives in Punta Arenas to be repaired

PUNTA ARENAS.- After suffering a propulsion failure on Tuesday of this week in the western inlet of the Strait of Magellan, the "Endurance" icebreaker belonging to the Royal British Navy arrived in Punta Arenas carrying 113 crew members and a translator, all of whom were in perfect health conditions.

The British ship arrived at approximately 11:00 PM yesterday after being towed to shore thanks to the Chilean Navy.

The ship was steered by tugboats to the Capitán Guillermos de Asmar Magallanes pier, where it will be inspected and submitted for emergency repair.

After a propulsion failure, the Navy took control of the situation under the orders of the Commanding Chief of the Third Naval Zone and dispatched a Dauphin rescue helicopter equipped with the anchor of the "Casma" missile vessel in order to evacuate passengers and offer rescue support.

After successfully completing the passenger rescue, the British icebreaker was towed in by the "Beagle" and "Águila 3" tugboats, which were assisted by the general service liner "Punta Arenas" and the "Chipana" missile ship.

The ship's crew showed enormous appreciation for the aid given by the Army, stressing that without the emergency help the vessel might not have been saved.