A British traveler saw huge waves hit his Norwegian cruise ship minutes before all 299 passengers were ordered to hunker down at the muster station for hours as the boat battled 11-metre waves and strong winds.
Catriona MacRae, 43, and her father, Ken, 79, were traveling through rough seas on the MS Maud when high and powerful waves hit the ship.
“The wave basically hit us on the side and just blew over the ship,” MacRae told The Post Friday. “Other passengers reported that the officer who gave the emergency alert was completely drenched.
“Up until then it was just a big ocean with big waves, as you would expect in any storm. I think it’s fair to say that everyone is very scared.”
Passengers had been told a few days earlier that there was “a storm brewing in the North Sea and we will try to get back to the UK early.”
The ship, owned by Hurtigruten Expeditions, had even left port early and skipped several stops to try and stay ahead of the storm. But they were in the middle of the North Sea when the heart-breaking waves came crashing in at around 4pm on Thursday, shattering windows on the bridge.
Catriona MacRae, 43, and her father, Ken, 79, were traveling through rough seas on the MS Maud when high and powerful waves hit the ship. Catriona MacRae “The wave basically hit us on the side and just blew over the ship,” MacRae told The Post Friday. Fraser Gray/Shutterstock
After the wave hit, passengers heard a noise for about five seconds through the PA system and about five minutes later, the emergency alarm was sounded and passengers began to descend to the station. They were told to wear bright orange survival suits, which are wind and waterproof, and life jackets.
The stations are located on decks five to eight, which are above sea level and near the lifeboats on level seven.
“The crew distributed life jackets and life jackets when we arrived at the gathering station and helped people who couldn’t wear them. It was actually quiet and peaceful the whole time,” MacRae said. “People are obviously scared, but very calm.”
Additionally, a Danish lifeboat was en route to the ship and arrived within 40 minutes of the mayday call.
Passengers had been told a few days earlier that there was “a storm brewing in the North Sea and we will try to get back to the UK early.” Catriona MacRae After the wave hit, passengers heard a noise for about five seconds through the PA system and about five minutes later, the emergency alarm sounded and passengers began to descend to the station. Catriona MacRae They were told to wear bright orange survival suits, which are wind and waterproof, and life jackets. Catriona MacRae The stations are located on decks five to eight, which are above sea level and near the lifeboats on level seven. Catriona MacRae
Meanwhile, the boat had lost electricity in the middle of the voyage and had no navigational capabilities for several hours. Crew members had to “manually steer the boat from the engine room,” MacRae wrote on Facebook.
“The captain came immediately to tell us what had happened, that the boat was stable, that we had the support of the coast guard and that the chance of evacuation was minimal,” he told The Post as the ship regained power.
The boat has now been diverted to Bremerhaven, Germany, and is about 230 nautical miles away as of 10am local time. As of 5 pm EST, the boat was passing Denmark at eight knots and facing winds of 14.5 mph.
MacRae said the cruise line would provide flights to London – where it was originally supposed to end its journey. As for further compensation, MacRae said they haven’t been told anything.
The boat has now been diverted to Bremerhaven, Germany, and is about 230 nautical miles away as of 10am local time. Catriona MacRae The ship, owned by Hurtigruten Expeditions, had even left port early and skipped several stops to try and stay ahead of the storm. But they were in the middle of the North Sea when the heart-breaking waves came crashing in at around 4pm on Thursday, shattering windows on the bridge. Catriona MacRae
Passengers were eventually allowed to return to their cabins, where they had been asked to stay until the storm subsided. Since then, they have been given the green light to “carefully” move around the ship.
“The storm has subsided and the waves. The waves and wind have become very calm,” MacRae said.
Passengers were “anxious to get to port” and injuries were “minimal,” the British woman said.
Despite the hardships, MacRae said this will not stop him from sailing, and that he is grateful to the crew.
Passengers were finally allowed to return to their cabins. Passenger Catriona MacRae was “anxious to get to port” and injuries were “minimal,” the British woman said. Catriona MacRae
“I honestly never planned this one – especially to accompany my dad!” he said. “I’m booked on a small ship cruise to Svalbard in June with no plans to cancel so I won’t say it’s stopping me from sailing!
“[The crew] everything was amazing and I know all the guests I spoke to were very grateful to all of them,” he continued. “I really just want to say that I think the calmness and professionalism of the crew on board, from the officers to the cleaning staff helping guests get survival gear, is incredible. They definitely made sure all the guests were safe.”
As for Ken, his daughter believes this is his last cruise to begin with, “but he doesn’t seem to hold back!”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
