‘Ghost Ship’: Woman In On A Cruise In Antarctica. Then She Takes A Look Out Her Window

For as long as there have been people sailing the oceans, there have been travelers reporting strange sights on the waters.

Whether it was a strange, never-before-seen creature or islands that seemed to come and go on a whim, the seas are full of mysteries that have captivated seafarers and novelists alike for centuries.

One of those ocean mysteries recently went viral on TikTok, accruing over 15.5 million views. But what does this video really show?

What’s Going On With This Ship?

In her video, TikTok user Lucy (@lucy.jets) films what she claims is a “ghost ship” off the coast of Antarctica.

“Navio fantasma será??!” she writes in the caption. Translated to English, this means, “A ghost ship, perhaps?!”

In the caption, she notes that the video is “NOT AI.”

What Is A ‘Ghost Ship’?

For those who are unaware, there are a few definitions of the phrase “ghost ship.”

The first is a real ship with no crew aboard. In many cases, the crew’s reasoning for abandoning the vessel is unknown. However, given that the ship is still seaworthy, it will be able to follow tides and currents through bodies of water—making it look as though it’s steering itself.

There have been numerous famous ghost ships of this variety throughout history. For example, in November 1872, the Mary Celeste left New York bound for Italy. By early December, it was found adrift, completely abandoned. The captain, his family, and the seven crew members were gone without a trace. All cargo and personal belongings remained on the ship untouched.

The second definition of “ghost ship” is just that: a ship that appears to be there but really isn’t. Sailors have talked for centuries about mysterious ships that appear to be piloted by either no one or some kind of apparition. One of the most famous examples of this is the Flying Dutchman, an alleged Dutch ship that has been spotted many times over the course of centuries.

Is This A Video Of A Ghost Ship?

No.

As the TikToker later added in the video’s caption, this is the Bark Europa. Per the TikTok caption, the ship is “a historic, three-masted tall ship built in 1911, renowned as an ‘Ocean Wanderer.’”

According to the Bark Europa website, the ship was originally built in the early 1900s to navigate the Elbe River in Europe. In the 1980s, however, the ship was purchased and refitted. Today, it takes annual trips to the Antarctic. Guests can book trips on the ship as well. During these trips, guests are given instructions on how to sail as well as real-world experience.

In an email to BroBible, the team of Bark Europa confirmed that the video showed their vessel.

“The ‘ghost ship’ is indeed Bark EUROPA,” the email reads. “We sail to Antarctica yearly.”

“In 2000 EUROPA started her famous Antarctica voyages, where she continues to conduct the most remarkable and breathtaking journeys each season during the austral summer,” the email adds in part.

Commenters Aren’t Convinced

In the comments section, many users acknowledged that the boat in question was the Bark Europa. Others questioned the presence of an apparent “white square” in the background. In reality, the TikToker was simply filming through a window, and the supposed “square” is just a reflection in the glass.

Further commenters simply shared their thoughts on ghost ships in general.

“Ghost ships freak me out cause where did all the people go and how is the ship still just moving along with no navigation,” wrote a user.

“Imagine being lost at sea and you think you’re finally being rescued only for it to be a ghost ship,” added another.

“I can only imagine how many ghost ships there are at any given point, considering how vast the oceans are,” stated a third.

BroBible reached out to Lucy via TikTok DM and comment and the Bark Europa via email.