This is the terrifying moment a Norwegian cruise ship with British tourists on board was hit by a 'rogue wave', sending passengers sliding across the floor and knocking out power during a fierce North Sea storm.
MS Maud was sailing about 162 miles off the west coast of Denmark and about 217 miles off the east coast of Britain when the monster wave shattered her windows on the bridge.
The luxury cruise ship, which was carrying 400 passengers and crew, had set off from Tilbury on December 9th on a 14-day Northern Lights expedition and was due to return to Essex port on December 23rd.
Dramatic footage obtained by Web shows the exact moment the freak wave hit, rendering the ship unnavigable and having to be towed to Germany.
The passenger who filmed the moment said: “I had the bridge camera running on the TV to prevent dizziness and just randomly decided to film it!”
“As soon as the wave hit, the TV screen went dark and the ship’s distress signal sounded, so I knew something was wrong.”
The holidaymaker, who expected it to be a “rough ride” after overcoming several other large waves, described passengers, fixed tables and chairs sliding across the floor. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.
MS Maud (pictured) had set off from Tilbury in the UK on December 9th on a 14-day Northern Lights expedition and was due to return to Essex port on December 23rd
A passenger who was filming the bridge camera at the time captured the moment when the “Rogue Wave” hit MS Maud
Horrifying footage shows the massive wave crashing into the Norwegian ship, causing a power outage
After the incident, there was complete disorder in a shop on the MS Maud. Cleanup work was underway today
Images shared with Web show the destruction caused by the wave, including a shop whose windows were smashed and products were left strewn on the floor.
Passengers aboard the ship, owned by cruise company HX, a subsidiary of Norway's Hurtigruten Group, said a major clean-up operation was underway today.
Were you on board the MS Maud?
Another passenger, Betty Little, was traveling with her 96-year-old mother, Jessie, when the wave struck. She praised the crew for their response as they are both disabled and needed extra support amid the panic.
Ms Little told Web: “When we had to go to collection points we got help almost immediately.” One crew member piggybacked my mother down the stairs with further support from four others, and two of them helped me. We got help putting on our survival gear and felt as comfortable as possible.
“Water, cans of Coca-Cola and ginger ale and sandwiches were later provided. Absolutely amazing crew!'
Other harrowing footage shared by passengers showed how choppy the conditions were, with the ship aggressively rocking up and down as huge waves ravaged it.
A video shared on Facebook received dozens of comments from fellow travelers, including one that read: “We're watching movies in our room.” “Every time we move we almost fly.”
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 civilian rescue company Esvagt had managed to attach a towline to the cruise ship.
“An Esvagt vessel is towing it slowly at around 8 to 9 knots towards Bremerhafen in Germany,” the spokesman said.
A shop window on the MS Maud was smashed after the huge wave caused chaos on board
After the wave crashed into the ship, the television camera went completely blank – and passengers were told to gather at the assembly point
Footage shared from inside the MS Maud shows the ship moving aggressively up and down while objects are strewn across the floor
Despite the power outage, the ship's main engine still worked, allowing the ship to be controlled manually from the engine room.
MS Maud left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury, UK on Friday.
Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement on Friday that the ship was heading to Bremerhafen for disembarkation.
A spokesman for HX said: “Yesterday afternoon, December 21st, MS Maud reported a temporary power outage after encountering a dangerous wave.” When the incident occurred, the ship was sailing from Florø, Norway, towards Tilbury (Great Britain) on the way.
“At this time, the ship has confirmed that there were no serious injuries to guests or crew members as a result of the incident.” The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew is able to sail under its own power.
“After ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we have decided to change the planned sailing route. Comprehensive operational protocols are in place across the fleet and the safety of those on board is always our top priority.
“The ship is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany, for disembarkation. “Our team is working to organize the onward journey home for the guests on board.”
The area was hit late Thursday by a storm with gale-force winds blowing from the northwest and expected to continue on Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said.
Remarkable footage from the ship's bridge camera shows how big the waves were leading up to the “Rogue Wave.”
Another video shows the rough North Sea conditions 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 makes it “extraordinarily well suited” for cruising between Norway and the British Isles, according to its website.
Trips on the MS Maud cost between $3,000 and almost $10,000.
Six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was hit by a storm (pictured) and stranded in the Bay of Biscay, passengers had to hold on “for dear life”.
It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was hit by a storm and stranded 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 to Portsmouth early to escape the approaching storm when fierce winds and choppy waters overtook her.
About 100 of the 1,000 people on board were injured, most of them injured when the ship's safety system activated, causing the ship to swerve dramatically and come to a shaking stop, Saga said at the time.