Norwegian officials have opened an investigation to determine why the 745-foot-long cruise ship Viking Sky ever left port despite storm warnings. The ship lost propulsion, requiring helicopters to rescue 479 of its 930 passengers off the western coast of Norway. The ship eventually limped into port after a harrowing day and night in stormy seas. The United States and Britain also are investigating the incident, which easily could have ended in tragedy.
The Norwegian Red Cross said that 20 passengers were hospitalized with injuries, including broken bones and cuts. Three suffered serious injuries; one is in critical condition. Videos taken by passengers on board showed the ship pitching from side to side and furniture sliding across the deck, as the ship wallowed in 43-mph winds and 26-foot seas.
The ship’s problems started on Saturday afternoon when it lost propulsion and the captain sent out a Mayday call. A total of five helicopters worked through the night to airlift passengers off the ship, starting with the injured and disabled. Only one helicopter could work at a time because of the weather and darkness. They had to lift passengers off the ship one at a time.
“It was frightening at first,” one woman told the AP. “And when the general alarm sounded it became very real.”
Carrying 1,373 passengers and crew, the ship was cruising through rough, frigid waters in an unpredictable area of the Norwegian coast when it lost power. It was just 300 feet from hitting underwater rocks when the crew managed to drop an anchor in Hustavika Bay. The crew was able to restart three of its four engines on Sunday and the ship, with a tow boat in front and another behind, traveled at 8 knots to safety in the small port of Molde.
The ship was carrying an international list of passengers, including many from the United States, Britain, New Zealand and Australia. Many were senior citizens.
The Viking Sky was launched in 2017 at the Fincantiere yard in Ancona, Italy, at a cost of $400 million. It has a beam of 94.5 feet and displaces 47,842 gross tons, with 465 cabins (all outside, with balconies), two pools, a fitness center, sports deck, two restaurants, and various bars and lounges.
The ship has diesel electric power, including four MAN 32/44CR diesel generators, two 6,760-hp 9-cylinder engines and two 9,010-hp 12-cylinder engines. It cruises at 17 knots and tops out at 20 knots. The cause of the engine failure was not know at this time. The ship’s next cruise, scheduled for March 27, was cancelled. Read more:
