A cruise ship temporarily lost power after being hit by a rogue wave on Thursday.
There were no serious injuries to guests or crew on board the MS Maud, operated by HX. Formerly Hurtigruten Cruises. The ship was en route from Florø, Norway to Tilbury, England at the time, according to a spokesperson.
They said in an emailed statement that the ship’s condition “remains stable and the crew is able to sail under their own power.” MS Maud carries 266 passengers and 131 crew.
The spokesman added: “After continuous safety checks and technical assessments, and given the weather conditions, we have decided to modify the planned sailing route.” “Comprehensive operational protocols are in place across the fleet, and we always prioritize the safety of those on board.”
The ship is now sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany, where those on board will disembark. The company’s team is working on making travel arrangements for the guests back home.
The rogue waves, also called “severe storm waves,” are more than twice the size of other nearby waves, according to the center’s report. National Ocean Service. They are uncommon and unpredictable, and “often come unexpectedly from directions other than the prevailing winds and waves.”
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An HX spokesperson said: “We work closely with health and safety experts, maintain highly trained crew members, and collaborate with external suppliers and maritime authorities to ensure strict measures are in place to prevent and manage any potential crises.”
A similar accident occurred on board the Viking Polaris ship last year, killing one passenger and injuring four others.
“Cruise ships and their local offices are constantly reviewing weather conditions to ensure the safest and smoothest possible courses,” Stuart Cherone, a cruise industry expert known as The Cruise Guy, told USA TODAY via email. “Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not always cooperate and ships are forced to respond at this time.”
He said rogue waves rarely hit cruise ships, but it could depend on the location and time of year.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].
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