A Norwegian cruise ship with 400 passengers and crew on board is being towed back to Germany after being hit by a “rogue wave” that knocked out its power during a violent storm in the North Sea.
The UK-bound MS Maud, owned by cruise line HX, part of Norway’s Hurtigruten group, was about 160 miles off the west coast of Denmark and about 215 miles off the east coast of Britain when the wave broke the bridge’s windows has.
The ship left Tilbury in the UK on a 14-day Northern Lights expedition on December 9 and was due to return to the Essex port on December 23, meaning there are likely to be dozens of Britons on board.
Gut-wrenching footage shared by passengers shows how turbulent the conditions were, with the ship rocking violently as huge waves hit it and belongings scattered across the floor.
The video, which was shared on Facebook, received dozens of comments from fellow travelers, including one who wrote: “We are watching movies in our room. Every time we move we almost fly.”
MS Maud (pictured) departed Tilbury, UK on a 14-day Northern Lights expedition on 9 December and was due to return to Essex Harbor on 23 December.
Footage shared by MS Maud shows the ship moving aggressively up and down as objects are strewn across the floor
The ship’s 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, a spokesman for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Center (DJRC) confirmed, adding that a ship belonging to the civil rescue company Esvagt managed to attach a towline to the vessel. to make.
“An Esvagt vessel is slowly towing it to Bremerhafen in Germany at a speed of around 8 to 9 knots,” the spokesman said.
The power outage left the crew unable to navigate. However, the ship’s main engine was still functioning, so the ship could be controlled manually from the engine room.
MS Maud left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in the United Kingdom on Friday.
Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement on Friday that the ship was on its way to disembark in the port of Bremen.
An HX spokesman said: “Yesterday afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary power failure following an encounter with a rogue wave.” The ship was en route from Florø, Norway, to Tilbury, UK, when the incident occurred.
“At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious injuries to guests or crew have occurred as a result of the incident. The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew can sail under their own power.
“After ongoing safety tests and technical assessments, we have decided to adjust the planned sailing route given the weather conditions. Thorough operating protocols are in place across the fleet and the safety of those on board is always our top priority.
“The ship is currently en route to Bremerhaven, Germany to disembark. Our team is working to arrange the journey home for the guests on board.”
The area was hit by a hurricane-force storm from the northwest late Thursday and is expected to continue on Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said.
Another video shows the harsh conditions in the North Sea when the crew had to be towed to Germany
The map shows the route of the MS Maud from Floroe to Tilbury before she lost her ability to navigate in the North Sea
The MS Maud – formerly known as MS Midnatsol – takes its name from a polar ship from 100 years ago, according to its website.
The original ship was named after the first queen of what is now Norway.
The ship is equipped with technology that, according to the website, is “excellently suitable” for sailing between Norway and the British Isles.
Voyages on the MS Maud cost between $3,000 and nearly $10,000.
It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was hit by a storm (pictured) and ran aground in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to hold on “for dear life”.
It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was hit by a storm and ran aground in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to “hold on for dear life”.
The Spirit of Discovery cut short her two-week voyage and returned early to Portsmouth to escape the approaching storm when strong winds and choppy waters overtook her.
About 100 of the 1,000 people on board were injured, most of them when the ship’s safety system activated, causing the ship to capsize dramatically and come to rest, Saga said at the time.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
