Wilderness Explorer accidents and incidents

26 July 2021Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

On July 26, 2021, UnCruise Adventures (shipowner) reported that 7 people (4 passengers, 3 crew) tested Coronavirus/COVID-positive during the Alaskan voyage that started on July 25. The company said this was the first time when a fully vaccinated person has tested positive on its ships and suggested that the cases could involve COVID's Delta variant.

The passengers were quarantined in a Juneau hotel, while the crew were placed in isolation on the ship.

Wilderness Explorer was operating a 7-day itinerary from Ketchikan to Juneau (July 25 - Aug 1) with planned visits to Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Wrangell Narrows, Thomas Bay, Port Houghton Bay, Tracy Arm Fjord.

18 August 2016Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On August 18, 2016, two tour guides (male and female) were reported with serious injuries after being mauled by a bear in Alaska. They were medevaced by a USCG helicopter (deployed from Sitka AK) for medical treatments ashore.

The injured were wilderness guides leading an afternoon hiking tour for cruise passengers, approx 30 ml / 50 km north of Sitka AK. The helicopter crew hoisted and transported the injured to Sitka in stable conditions, but with multiple injuries and severe lacerations.

July 2002Cruise Illness / Virus Outbreaks

In July 2002, the ship reported on itinerary July 26 - Aug 1, a Norovirus outbreak (gastrointestinal illness) infected 18 passengers and crew (out of 108, or 17,9%). All sick suffered from Norovirus symptoms (stomach cramps, predominantly vomiting and diarrhoea) and were quarantined to their cabins.

The following voyage was cancelled for extensive sanitation. The vessel returned to service on August 8.