A Norwegian cruise ship carrying 400 passengers and crew is being towed back to Germany after it was 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 company HX, a subsidiary of Norway's Hurtigruten Group, was about 162 miles off the west coast of Denmark and about 217 miles off the east coast of Britain when the wave shattered the bridge's windows.
The ship 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, meaning there are likely dozens of Brits on board.
Stomach-churning footage shared by passengers highlights just how choppy the conditions were: the ship rocked aggressively as it was hit by huge waves, while belongings were strewn on the ground.
The video, shared on Facebook, received dozens of comments from fellow travelers. One wrote: “We watch movies in our room.” “Every time we move we almost fly.”
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
Footage shared from inside the MS Maud shows the ship moving aggressively up and down while 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 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.
The power failure caused the crew to lose their ability to navigate. However, the ship's main engine was still functional, 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.
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.