Norwegian Cruise Ship Loses Ability To Navigate After Rogue Wave

A Norwegian cruise ship, MS Maud, lost the ability to navigate after being hit by a rogue wave. According to the Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, the 266 passengers and 131 crew members currently on the boat were safe.

The cruise ship MS Maud, which was en route to England, lost its ability to navigate after its electricity went out, according to Reuters. Hard-hitting winds shattered windows on the bridge of the vessel, causing water to flood in.

“There is no power on the ship,” the center’s spokesperson told Reuters. “The main engine is functioning, but the navigation systems and radars are not.” 

Water entered the ship after strong winds smashed the vessel’s windows while it had sailed around 124 miles off Denmark’s west coast and 205 miles off Britain’s east coast from Norway on Thursday. It had been due to arrive in the U.K.’s Tilbury on Friday, Dec. 22.

MS Maud #hurtigruten now pic.twitter.com/i5m2qSJIrr

— Sea & son (@OnDeepWater) December 22, 2023

The Danish Joint Rescue Coordination Centre said in a statement that the ship’s crew was navigating the vessel manually. Subsequently, two civilian support ships helped to navigate the waters in the North Sea.

“Earlier this afternoon, December 21, MS Maud reported a temporary loss of power after encountering a rogue wave,” Hurtigruten, Norwegian coastal ferry service and cruise line, said in an emailed statement, per The Guardian. 

Stomach-churning footage shared by passengers highlights just how choppy the conditions were. The ship was seen aggressively rocking up and down as huge waves ravaged it while belongings were strewn across the floor.

The power outage caused the crew to lose its ability to navigate. However, the vessel’s main engine was still functioning, enabling the ship to be steered manually from the engine room.

Authorities plan on towing the vessel to a Danish port. The cruise company said there were no serious passenger or crew injuries, and the ship’s condition was reported to be stable despite the harrowing conditions.