This is the terrifying moment a Norwegian cruise ship with British tourists on board was struck by a ‘rogue wave’, sending passengers sliding around the floor and knocking out its power during a ferocious North Sea storm.
MS Maud was sailing some 162 miles off Denmark’s west coast and about 217 miles off Britain’s east coast when the monster wave shattered its windows on the bridge.
The luxury cruise ship, which was carrying 400 passengers and crew, had started a 14-day Northern Lights expedition sailing from Tilbury on December 9 and was due to return to the Essex port on December 23.
Dramatic footage obtained by MailOnline shows the exact moment the freak wave hit, leaving the ship impossible to navigate and requiring a tow to Germany.
The passenger who filmed the moment said: ‘I had the bridge camera showing on the TV to try to stop dizziness and just randomly decided to film it!
‘As soon as the wave struck, the TV screen went blank and the ship’s horn distress signal sounded so I knew something was wrong.’
The holidaymaker, who expected it was going to be a ‘rough ride’ after going over several other big waves, described how passengers, fixed tables and chairs were sent sliding across the floor. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.
Pictures shared with MailOnline show the destruction caused by the wave, including a shop where the windows had been smashed in and products were left strewn across the floor.
Those on board the ship, which belongs to cruise company HX, a unit of Norway’s Hurtigruten Group, said a big clean-up operation was underway today.
Another passenger, Betty Little, was on the trip with her 96-year-old mother Jessie when the wave struck. She praised the crew for their response as they are both disabled and needed extra support amid the panic.
Ms Little told MailOnline: ‘When we had to go to muster stations, we almost immediately had assistance. One crew member, with the further assistance of four others, gave my mother a piggyback down the stairs, and I had two assisting me. We had assistance to don our survival gear and were made as comfortable as possible.
‘Later, water was provided along with cans of Coca-Cola and ginger ale, as well as sandwiches. Absolutely amazing crew!’
Other stomach-churning footage shared by passengers showed just how choppy the conditions were, with the ship seen aggressively rocking up and down as it was ravaged by huge waves.
One video, which was shared on Facebook, received dozens of comments from fellow passengers with one writing: ‘We’re watching films in our room. Every time we move we nearly go flying.’
The ship’s 266 passengers and 131 crew members were safe, a spokesperson for the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (DJRC) confirmed, adding that a vessel from civil rescue firm Esvagt had managed to connect a tow line to the cruise ship.
‘An Esvagt ship is towing it slowly towards Bremerhafen in Germany at around 8-9 knots,’ the spokesperson said.
Despite the power outage, the vessel’s main engine was still functioning, enabling the ship to be steered manually from the engine room.
MS Maud left Floroe in Norway on Thursday and was due to arrive in Tilbury in Britain on Friday.
Hurtigruten confirmed in a statement on Friday that the vessel was heading to Bremerhafen for disembarkation.
A spokesperson for HX said: ‘Yesterday afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave. The ship was sailing towards Tilbury, UK from Florø, Norway when the incident occurred.
‘At this time, the ship has confirmed that no serious guest or crew injuries have been sustained as a result of the incident. The condition of the ship remains stable and the crew are able to sail under their own power.
‘Following ongoing safety checks and technical assessments, given the weather conditions, we decided to amend the planned sailing route. Across the fleet, there are thorough operational protocols in place and we always prioritise the safety of those onboard.
‘The ship is currently sailing to Bremerhaven, Germany for disembarkation. Our team are working to arrange onward travel back home for guests onboard.’
The area was hit by a storm late on Thursday with hurricane-force gusts blowing from the northwest, and they are forecast to continue on Friday, the Danish Meteorological Institute said.
The MS Maud – formerly known as the MS Midnatsol – got its name from a polar vessel from 100 years ago, according to its website.
The original vessel was named for the first queen of what’s come to be known as modern-day Norway.
The ship is outfitted with technology that its website claims makes it ‘exceptionally well-suited’ for cruises between Norway and the British Isles.
Journeys on the MS Maud cost anywhere between $3,000 and nearly $10,000.
It comes six weeks after a Saga cruise ship was battered by a storm and ground to a halt in the Bay of Biscay, forcing passengers to ‘hold on for dear life’.
The Spirit of Discovery cut short its two-week voyage and headed back to Portsmouth early to avoid the oncoming tempest when punishing winds and choppy waters caught up with it.
Around 100 of the 1,000 people on board were injured, the majority of whom were hurt as the ship’s safety system was activated, causing it to dramatically veer and shudder to a halt, according to Saga at the time.
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