Why the Viking Sky incident restores my faith in cruising

Last week saw some of the most incredible scenes at sea in Maritime History.

The Viking Sky ship was sailing around the Northern coast of Noway when she suffered complete engine breakdown in a terrible storm. for hours the vessel was stranded off a notorious stretch of waters known as Hustadvika in More og Romsdal county, its set around 2.5 nautical miles from shore the cruise had sailed from Tromso in the far north of Norway down to Stavenger that’s when all; the problems started. There was little choice but to survive the elements and hold out in the storm until the help arrived.

The May day call came in and immediately 4 helicopters and two sea going tug vessels descended on the ship, A cargo ship sailing close by also suffered from a stalled engine in the treacherous weather.

Several people were hospitalized and falling debris from the ship was a serious incident.

Its moments like this when people see the extent of a severe storm that can put people off cruising. however I choose to look at this way. The management of the crisis was superbly organised by all accounts and the captain and officers made sure safety yo life at sea and training was carried out. When planes crash almost certainly there are multiple fatalities however on a ship there are usually sea baring vessels with the maritime code at sea that the nearest ship assists in a rescue effort.

I was hugely impressed by Vikings reactions and everything they have done since the situation occurred.

We all know the sea can be a cruel mistress but I f I was ever in that awful circumstance I would hope I had the skill and experience of those people to fall back on.

I personally want to wish all passengers a safe recovery. I hope it has not put you off of cruising.