Brazilian boat shown submerged in Antartica

January 2024 · 4 minute read

Ghost ships have long inspired spine-tingling stories from the oceans and beyond.

And a newly-surfaced image of a sunken boat in Antarctica embodies the eeriness of tales gone by.

Lurking under the water's surface, the carcass of a wrecked Brazilian research vessel seemingly glows in the freezing cold.

Images have surfaced of the sunken remains of the 76-foot long Mar Sem Fim, a Brazilian boat that was used for scientific and educational expeditions in Antarctica

Images have surfaced of the sunken remains of the 76-foot long Mar Sem Fim, a Brazilian boat that was used for scientific and educational expeditions in Antarctica

After battling winds of more than 60 miles an hour, the 76-foot long Mar Sem Fim subsequently got trapped in ice in Maxwell Bay, King George Island, around about 745 miles south of tip of South America

After battling winds of more than 60 miles an hour, the 76-foot long Mar Sem Fim subsequently got trapped in ice in Maxwell Bay, King George Island, around about 745 miles south of tip of South America

After battling winds of more than 60 miles an hour, the 76-foot long Mar Sem Fim subsequently got trapped in ice in Maxwell Bay, King George Island, around about 745 miles south of tip of South America.

At the time there were four crew members on board, who were voyaging off the Antarctic coast to film a documentary.  

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Luckily the men were able to radio for help and their call was received by the Chilean naval base Antarctica.

After a two-day delay due to more bad weather, they were finally rescued. 

Describing the evacuation process, crew member João Lara Mesquita wrote in his blog: 'Then, with strong winds and high waves, the boat Frei came to us. Our evacuation was epic. 

At the time there were four crew members on board, who were voyaging off the Antarctic coast to film a documentary - luckily they were all saved after calling for help 

At the time there were four crew members on board, who were voyaging off the Antarctic coast to film a documentary - luckily they were all saved after calling for help 

Describing the evacuation process, crew member João Lara Mesquita wrote in his blog : 'Then, with strong winds and high waves, the boat Frei came to us. Our evacuation was epic'

Describing the evacuation process, crew member João Lara Mesquita wrote in his blog : 'Then, with strong winds and high waves, the boat Frei came to us. Our evacuation was epic'

Over time, due to a process known as compression, the Mar Sem Fim was crushed by the ice and sent to the floor of the shallow bay

Over time, due to a process known as compression, the Mar Sem Fim was crushed by the ice and sent to the floor of the shallow bay

'Waves of more than 1.5 meters and winds over 40 knots made the boat jump from one side to another, like a bucking bronco. 

'When it got close, each of us... threw ourselves into the arms of three Chilean crew members. Fortunately all went safely.'

Over time, due to a process known as compression, the Mar Sem Fim was crushed by the ice and sent to the floor of the shallow bay.  

While the ship incident took place on April 7, 2012, its rescue didn't come about for almost a year.

During that time the liner lay corroding in around 30 feet of icy water.

According to Charismatic Planet, Mar Sem Fim's owner João Lara Mesquita eventually returned to the site in warmer weather and divers retrieved the boat using inflatable buoys. 

The vessel was towed back to shore. It was reportedly insured for $700,000, however, damage from the incident indicated the vessel was beyond repair. 

While the ship incident took place on April 7, 2012, its rescue didn't come about for almost a year

While the ship incident took place on April 7, 2012, its rescue didn't come about for almost a year

Mar Sem Fim's owner João Lara Mesquita eventually returned to the site in warmer weather and divers retrieved the boat using inflatable buoys

Mar Sem Fim's owner João Lara Mesquita eventually returned to the site in warmer weather and divers retrieved the boat using inflatable buoys

The vessel was towed back to shore - it was reportedly insured for $700,000, however, damage from the incident indicated the vessel was beyond repair

The vessel was towed back to shore - it was reportedly insured for $700,000, however, damage from the incident indicated the vessel was beyond repair

The boat was finally taken to shore with its windows seen smashed in and lichen on the body work

The boat was finally taken to shore with its windows seen smashed in and lichen on the body work

The boat was previously used for expedition and educational purposes before it was stopped in action due to bad weather 

The boat was previously used for expedition and educational purposes before it was stopped in action due to bad weather 

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