news.nationalgeographic.com
The rising popularity of tourism in Antarctica has raised safety concerns in recent years, as this March, 19, 2009 New York Times article states.
The steadily increasing number of “cruise ships,” carrying as many as 500 passengers, to this chilly tourist hot-spot, has drawn attention to the lack of safety regulations concerning these trips; Antarctica’s severe weather conditions make for rough sailing, and its isolation poses problems for passengers facing medical issues while visiting.
With such large ships, rescue attempts prove difficult, and after an incident with a ship called the Ocean Nova, environmental groups called for stronger controls over tourism vessels in the area. Attempts are being made to improve safety conditions on such cruises, and other adventurous global activities.
