After being blasted by a ‘rogue wave’ that knocked out its power during a fierce storm in the North Sea, a Norwegian cruise liner carrying 400 passengers and crew is being pulled back to Germany.
The UK-bound MS Maud, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, was sailing around 162 miles off Denmark’s west coast and about 217 miles off Britain’s east coast when the wave destroyed the bridge glass.
The ship embarked on a 14-day Northern Lights adventure from Tilbury, England, on December 9 and was scheduled to return to the Essex port on December 23, implying that there were likely hundreds of British passengers on board.
Devastating waves hit the ship, and the goods were strewn across the floor. Stomach-churning footage of just how choppy the conditions were was shared by the passengers.
A representative for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (DJRC) verified that the ship’s 266 guests and 131 crew members were safe, adding that a vessel from civil rescue firm Esvagt had managed to hook a tow line to the cruise liner.
“An Esvagt ship is towing it slowly towards Bremerhaven in Germany at around 8-9 knots,” the spokesperson said. The crew’s ability to maneuver was impaired due to the power outage. However, the ship’s main engine was still operational, allowing the boat to be maneuvered manually from the engine room.
The MS Maud departed Floroe, Norway, on Thursday and was scheduled to arrive in Tilbury, England, on Friday. Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement issued on Friday that the ship was en route to Bremerhaven for disembarkation.
A spokesperson for HX said, “Yesterday afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave. The ship was sailing towards Tilbury, UK, from Florø, Norway, when the incident occurred.”
“At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious guest or crew injuries have been sustained because of the incident. The condition of the boat remains stable, and the crew can sail under their own power.
Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route. Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place, and we always prioritize the safety of those onboard,” the anonymous spokesperson said.
He added, “The ship is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany for disembarkation. Our team is working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard.”
Additionally, the Danish Meteorological Institute said, “The area was hit by a storm late on Thursday with hurricane-force gusts blowing from the northwest, and they are forecasted to continue Friday.”
MS Maud!
According to its website, the MS Maud, formerly known as the MS Midnatsol, was named after a polar vessel from 100 years ago.
The original ship was named for the first queen of what is now modern-day Norway. The ship is packed with technology that, according to the ship’s website, makes it ‘exceptionally well-suited’ for cruises between Norway and the British Isles.
The cost of a trip on the MS Maud ranges from US$3,000 to over US$10,000.
It comes just six weeks after a Saga cruise liner was pummeled by a hurricane and grounded in the Bay of Biscay, causing passengers to cling to life for dear life.
When harsh winds and choppy waters caught up with the Spirit of Discovery, it cut its two-week trip short and returned to Portsmouth early to avoid the approaching storm.
According to Saga, at the time, around 100 of the 1,000 individuals on board were injured; the bulk of them were harmed when the ship’s safety system was engaged, forcing it to dramatically swerve and shudder to a halt.
The UK-bound MS Maud, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, was sailing around 162 miles off Denmark’s west coast and about 217 miles off Britain’s east coast when the wave destroyed the bridge glass.
