On November 29, 2022, the 665-foot-long passenger vessel Viking Polaris was transiting Drake Passage near Cape Horn, Chile, when the vessel experienced weather-related damage, causing passenger cabin windows to shatter. One passenger was fatally injured, and eight additional passengers sustained injuries.
The United States was invited to participate in this investigation as a Substantially Interested State (SIS). When a flag State and/or investigating State designates the United States an SIS, the US Coast Guard represents the US Administration. Under the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code, the NTSB joined the Coast Guard in their role as a SIS. We may participate in investigations of serious marine casualties involving foreign-flagged vessels in international waters—for example, investigations involving foreign-flagged cruise ships with US citizens on board.
For this investigation, we have produced an investigation close-out memorandum, which can be found in our docket.
