Empire State Review Team 
Cruise Ship Confronts Dramatic Waves in the Drake Passage
Overview of the Incident
Adventure took a thrilling turn for passengers aboard Quark Expeditions’ Ocean Explorer as the vessel navigated through the notorious Drake Passage, situated between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica. The region is infamous for its treacherous waters, where the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern Oceans converge, often leading to severe weather conditions.
Passenger Accounts
Lesley Anne Murphy, one of the passengers, captured remarkable footage of the chaotic scene on board. Her videos depicted fellow passengers being tossed onto walls and sliding across floors, as massive waves crashed against the ship. Murphy estimated that some waves were between 30 and 40 feet high, giving travelers a close-up view of the ocean’s power through the ship’s large, paneled windows.
The Drake Passage Experience
Sharing her thoughts on social media, Murphy described the experience as a “48-hour roller coaster.” She detailed the challenges and excitements of enduring two intense “Drake Shakes.” As she recounts, “If you’re lucky, you get the ‘Drake Lake.’ If you’re like us, you get the ‘Drake Shake’ with 35-foot waves.” Despite the tumultuous ride, she reflected on the adventure with pride, affirming that it was worth it for the “trip of a lifetime.”
Understanding the Drake Passage
The passage is well-known among mariners for its fierce conditions, which can change rapidly due to the confluence of various oceanic forces. Quark Expeditions explained that such dramatic ocean conditions arise from the interaction of three major ocean currents, creating challenging weather that is often unpredictable.
