A British traveler saw a huge wave hit her Norwegian cruise ship minutes before all 299 passengers were ordered to shelter in place at muster stations for hours as the ship battled 11-metre waves and gale-force winds.
Catriona MacRae, 43, and her father Ken, 79, were traveling through rough seas on the MS Maud when a high, powerful wave crashed into the ship.
“The wave essentially hit us sideways and just exploded over the top of the boat,” MacRae told The Post on Friday. “Other passengers reported that the officer who activated the emergency alert was completely soaked.
“Until then it was just a big ocean with big waves, as you would expect in any storm. “I think it would be fair to say that everyone was feeling pretty scared.”
A few days earlier passengers had been informed that a “storm was brewing in the North Sea and that we were going to try to return to the UK before it arrived”.
The ship, owned by Hurtigruten Expeditions, even left port early and skipped several stops to try to stay ahead of the storm. But they were in the middle of the North Sea when a tremendous wave crashed around 4pm on Thursday, smashing the bridge windows.
Catriona MacRae, 43, and her father Ken, 79, were traveling through rough seas on the MS Maud when a high, powerful wave crashed into the ship. Catriona MacRae “The wave essentially hit us sideways and just exploded over the top of the boat,” MacRae told The Post on Friday. Fraser Gray/Shutterstock
After the wave hit, passengers heard about five seconds of noise over the public address system and about five minutes later, the emergency alarm sounded and passengers began descending to assembly points. They were told to put on bright orange survival suits, which are wind and water resistant, 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 handed out life suits and vests as we arrived at the assembly stations and helped people who couldn’t put them on. It was actually eerily quiet and calm,” MacRae said. “People were obviously scared, but remarkably calm.”
Furthermore, Danish rescue ships were heading towards the ship and arrived 40 minutes after the distress call.
A few days earlier passengers had been informed that a “storm was brewing in the North Sea and that we were going to try to return to the UK before it arrived”. Catriona MacRae After the wave hit, passengers heard about five seconds of noise over the public address system and approximately five minutes later, the emergency alarm sounded and passengers began to descend to the assembly points. Catriona MacRae They were told to put on bright orange survival suits, which are wind and water resistant, and life jackets. Catriona MacRae The stations are located on decks five to eight, which are above sea level and close to the lifeboats on level seven. Catriona MacRae
Meanwhile, the ship had lost power mid-voyage and was unable to navigate for several hours. Crew members had to “manually steer the ship from the engine room,” MacRae wrote on Facebook.
“The captain came immediately to inform us what had happened, that the ship was stable, that we had support from the coast guard and that the chances of having to evacuate were minimal,” he told The Post of the moment the ship regained power.
The ship has now been diverted to Bremerhaven, Germany, and was about 230 nautical miles away at 10 a.m. local time. At 5 pm EST, the ship passes Denmark at eight knots and faces 14.5 mph winds.
MacRae said the cruise line would offer flights to London, where its voyage was originally supposed to end. As for further compensation, MacRae said they haven’t been told any.
The ship has now been diverted to Bremerhaven, Germany, and was about 230 nautical miles away at 10 a.m. local time. Catriona MacRae The ship, owned by Hurtigruten Expeditions, had even left port early and skipped several stops to try to stay ahead of the storm. But they were in the middle of the North Sea when a tremendous wave crashed around 4pm on Thursday, smashing the bridge windows. Catriona MacRae
Eventually, the passengers were allowed to return to their cabins, where they were asked to remain until the storm subsided. They have since been given the green light to move “carefully” around the ship.
“The storm has subsided and so have the waves. The waves and wind have calmed down a lot,” MacRae said.
The passengers are “eager to get to port” and the injuries were “minimal,” the British woman said.
Despite the grueling experience, MacRae said it won’t stop her from sailing and she is grateful for the crew.
The passengers were finally allowed to return to their cabins. Catriona MacRae The passengers are “eager to get to port” and the injuries were “minimal,” the British woman said. Catriona MacRae
“Honestly, I had never planned this: it was mainly accompanying my dad!” she said. “I have a small ship cruise booked to Svalbard in June and I have no plans to cancel, so I wouldn’t say that has put me off sailing.
“[The crew] “Everyone was amazing and I know every guest I’ve spoken to is so grateful to all of them,” he continued. “I really just want to say that I think the calm and professionalism of the crew on board, from the officers to the housekeeping staff helping guests put on survival gear, was incredible. They certainly kept all the guests safe.”
As for Ken, his daughter thinks this was his last cruise to begin with, “but he doesn’t seem to be discouraged!”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn