Stranded Nunavut cruise ship passengers rescued

The Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Amundsen have rescued the passengersof a cruise ship that ran aground on an uncharted rock in Nunavut's Coronation Gulf.

The MV Clipper Adventurer became stranded around 7 p.m.MT Friday while making its way from Port Epworth to Kugluktuk.

Efforts by the crew to dislodge the vessel during high tide on Saturday were unsuccessful.

All 118passengers, as well as the crew,are safe and unharmed, cruise operator Adventure Canada said.

Company CEOMatthew Swan described the ship as "completely stable."

"There is a list of about 4.5 degrees to the port side, but there doesn't seem to be any damage that we can detect."

He said skies weresunny andwaters calm for the last two days, so a lot of people just relaxedon deck.

TheAmundsenwas dispatchedto the scene from the Beaufort Sea.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Theresa Nichols said the passengerswere transferredto the icebreaker beginning Sunday around 4 p.m. ET and that it wascompletedinlater in the evening.

"All of the passengers were transferred to the Amundsen," she said. "They're all in good health."

The Clipper's crew isexpected to remain on the idled ship for now, she said, adding thatthere has been no pollution, such as oil, spilled in the water because of the incident.

Swan said he didn't know what might be done to freethe ship. Nichols saidany decisions on assistance for the vessel will be made by Transport Canada.

The icebreaker was taking the touriststo Kugluktuk and they will be flown to Edmonton.