There are different ways to see the world and get away from it all but a favorite for many people is taking a cruise on a large cruise ship. When you are on the sea, it seems as if you are separated from society but the ship is generally so large that you can enjoy the amenities and you don’t even feel as if you are bobbing around in the ocean. That is, of course, unless the seas get too rough and then you’re at the mercy of the waves.
This is what happened to Viking Cruises ‘Viking Sky’ cruise ship when it found itself in the middle of rough seas. 1300 people had to be evacuated from the cruise ship off the coast of Norway and the videos are absolutely amazing. The ship sent a distress signal on Saturday afternoon reporting that it had ‘engine problems in bad weather’. The video from inside the cruise ship and outside show just how bad things were.
Still waiting for evacuation. #VikingSky #Mayday pic.twitter.com/6EvcAjf5D2
— Alexus Sheppard ?️? (@alexus309) March 23, 2019
We’re waiting for evacuation by helicopter #VikingSky #Mayday pic.twitter.com/rqSYaWGi0k
— Alexus Sheppard ?️? (@alexus309) March 23, 2019
#vikingsky #hustadvika heavy sea pic.twitter.com/hoiAkYnVI9
— Ludviken (@Ludvikeen) March 23, 2019
According to BBC, one of the ship’s engines were able to be restored and so it could move a bit further from the shoreline. The news agency also noted: “The area is known as the Hustadvika and is reportedly one of the most dangerous stretches of Norway’s coast.”
Helicopters and a number of ships were taking part in the evacuation, as you can see in this video:
Matters became complicated because nine people on a cargo ship were also in the same rough waters and needed assistance.
Cargo ship w / 9 persons onbord went down close to #VikingSky . Rescue helicopter sent to save crew. pic.twitter.com/Ebu0TIhlIE
— Tore (@potifar66) March 23, 2019
According to reports, the rescue attempt took some time and a people suffered minor injuries. Photos of people waiting to be rescued were on social media.
#vikingsky emergency pic.twitter.com/9bxdRpB2zV
— David Hernandez (@oxman78) March 23, 2019
Passenger on board #VikingSky Crew is doing a good job. Evacuation is slow. Seas rough. One muster station had a door blow in, injure pax and flood. Moved to midship pic.twitter.com/ndvEaJew8L
— David Hernandez (@oxman78) March 23, 2019
The following message comes from Viking Cruises
“We can confirm that on March 23rd at 2pm (Norwegian time) the vessel Viking Sky a 47,800 tonne ship travelling from Tromsø to Stavanger, carrying 915 guests and 458 crew experienced a loss of engine power off the coast of Norway near Molde. We are working closely with the relevant authorities and all operational procedures were followed in line with international regulations. In addition Viking has dispatched an operational task force, including the company’s owner, to Molde.
Our first priority was for the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and our crew, and in close cooperation with the Norwegian Coast Guard, the captain decided to evacuate all guests from the vessel by helicopter. The ship is proceeding on its own power and a tugboat is on site. The evacuation is proceeding with all necessary caution. A small number of non-life threatening injuries have been reported. Guests are being accommodated in local hotels when they arrive back on shore, and Viking will arrange for return flights for all guests.”
Cruising is fun but I never want to be in this situation!