TribLive: HELSINKI — A cruise ship with engine problems sent a mayday call off Norway’s western coast on Saturday, then began evacuating its 1,300 passengers and crew amid stormy seas and heavy winds in a high-risk helicopter rescue operation.
The Norwegian newspaper VG said the Viking Sky cruise ship ran into propulsion problems as bad weather hit Norway’s coastal regions on Saturday and started drifting toward land. Police in the western county of Moere og Romsdal said the ship, fearing it would run aground, managed to anchor in Hustadsvika Bay, between the western Norwegian cities of Alesund and Trondheim, so the evacuations could take place.
Rescue teams with helicopters and boats were sent to evacuate the cruise ship under extremely difficult circumstances. Norwegian media reported gusts up to 38 knots (43 mph) and waves over 8 meters (26 feet). The area is known for its rough, frigid waters.
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said the Viking Sky’s evacuation was going to a slow and dangerous process, as passengers needed to be hoisted from the cruise ship to the five available helicopters one by one. By 6 p.m., some 100 people had been rescued and were being taken to a nearby sports hall. more
A Norwegian cruise in March? Must have been the discount special.
The passengers set out for an adventure and the shipline delivered.
Is the bar still open? Hopefully nobody spilled their martini when being airlifted.
“Free helicopter rides with every ticket purchased”….
“The Ill-fated Bulwark Post Mueller Manifesto Cruise was fine until Friday evening, when she began listing to the left and sinking for some reason. Captain Kristol was out on the first chopper.”
🥴
https://youtu.be/RhsapeSR-P8
I’d be sick. Good thing the grand piano was bolted down.
B4 taking a cruise you should look into maritime
law and insurance issues concerning passengers.
You don’t have any protection for tort redress
worth much of a damn.
“A three hour tour……….”
I wouldn’t go on a cruise in one of those top heavy hotels for free. They look horrible and don’t appear to be seaworthy. Not a buffet guy either. Or a casino guy either. I’d be bored out of my skull.
Maybe I’m a little weird, but I’d consider it a wild once in a lifetime adventure and the best cruise ever.
Heard on the background while they were coordinating the rescue, “Woman, children and Francesco Schettino first!”
Not a single Black Girl on the Cruise…I knew this old Bartender
wasn’t getting laid….
@illustr8r – this is how you do a grand piano on a swaying ship!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKsk97plY8I 🙂
The adventure of a lifetime.