MV Viking Sky

2019

Norwegian coast, engine failure, the helicopter hoist Location: Norwegian Sea, off Hustadvika · Coordinates: 63.05°N 7.25°E · Casualties: 0 · Survivors: 1,373 · Depth: survived · continued service · Cause: engine failure · near-miss — All four engines lost power in quick succession off Hustadvika, Norway, at 14:00 on 23 March 2019 during a severe storm. The cause was insufficient lubricating oil levels triggering emergency shutdowns. She drifted toward the rocky coast with 1,373 people aboard. · Fate: towed to Molde · returned to service · Type: cruise ship · Viking Ocean Cruises · Tonnage: 47,800 tons · Crew: 458 · Flag: Norway · Launched: 2017 Norwegian cruise ship, on the passage from Tromsø to Stavanger with 915 passengers. All four engines lost power in succession off Hustadvika on the afternoon of 23 March 2019 in a severe storm. She drifted toward the rocky coast as her anchors dragged. 479 passengers were airlifted off by five SAR helicopters before the engines were restarted. No deaths; the cause was traced to low lubricating oil levels that had tripped automatic shutdowns. The Vessel The MV Viking Sky was a Norwegian-flagged luxury expedition cruise ship of the Viking Ocean Cruises company, built at the Fincantieri yard at Ancona, Italy in 2017 and commissioned on 13 January 2017. She was 228 metres long, 47,800 gross tons, and powered by twin diesel engines producing approximately 27,000 horsepower. Her accommodation comprised approximately 930 passengers plus approximately 470 crew. She was one of the new generation of Viking Ocean Cruises luxury expedition cruise ships, specifically designed for premium-market cruise tourism with an emphasis on small-ship intimacy and destination-focused cruising. Her operational role in 2019 was the Scandinavian fjord and Arctic cruise circuit. Her master on her final voyage was Captain Bengt-Ove Nilsen, 53, a career Norwegian merchant marine officer. Her complement on 23 March 2019 was approximately 1,373 persons: 915 passengers (predominantly American, British, Australian, and Canadian tourists) plus 458 crew. The Disaster The specific loss of engine power in the severe weather and the specific proximity to the hazardous Hustadvika coast produced an immediate critical situation. Without engine power, the ship was unable to maintain her position or heading; she began drifting toward the reef-strewn coast at approximately 3-4 knots. Captain Nilsen's immediate response was to drop both anchors to prevent the ship from being driven onto the reefs. The specific anchoring was successful; the specific ship's position was stabilised approximately 4 kilometres offshore, but the extreme weather conditions continued to substantially affect the anchored ship. The specific immediate concern was the possibility of the anchors dragging or the specific ship being swept closer to the reefs by the extreme wave action. The specific Norwegian Coast Guard and rescue authorities immediately initiated a major emergency response. The specific rescue operation was one of the largest helicopter rescue operations in Norwegian history. The specific operation involved: (i) approximately 10 Norwegian Air Force rescue helicopters operating in rotation; (ii) multiple Norwegian Coast Guard vessels providing support; (iii) approximately 19 hours of continuous helicopter evacuation. Over the period from 15:00 on 23 March 2019 through 10:00 on 24 March 2019, the specific helicopters evacuated approximately 479 passengers from the Viking Sky to the mainland. The specific remaining passengers (approximately 436) and the crew remain