A Bahamas-flagged cruise ship, Ocean Nova, with 74 passengers and 30 crew, was stranded near an Argentine base in Antarctica on Tuesday, the Argentine Army said.

The Ocean Nova, a Bahamas flagged cruiser with 104 people aboard which conducted a tour of Antarctica, is seen stranded near an Argentine base in Antarctica February 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The vessel is safe and there is no risk to the passengers and crew, the Argentine Army said.

The Argentine and Chilean armies are assisting in rescue operations, military sources said.

A Spanish vessel of Oceanographic Investigation (BIO) Hesperides and another from Clipper Adventure Transport are also at the scene to assist in rescue operations.

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

The 240 feet (73 meters) Ocean Nova was built in Denmark. It was carrying passengers from 22 different countries who were on their eighth day of a two-week expedition to explore the polar circle.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet