Expedition Cruise Ship MS Maud Hit by Rare Rogue Wave, Loses Power Temporarily

The MS Maud, an expedition cruise ship operated by HX (formerly Hurtigruten Expeditions), experienced a dramatic event at sea when it was struck by a rare rogue wave last Thursday. The incident, which temporarily left the ship without power, occurred while the vessel was journeying from Florø, Norway, to Tilbury, England.

Despite the severity of the incident, there were no significant injuries reported among the 266 passengers and 131 crew members onboard. According to a company spokesperson, the MS Maud remained stable following the wave strike and the crew was able to regain power and continue sailing.

In response to the incident, the ship’s sailing route was altered for safety. The spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating that thorough operational protocols are in place across the fleet. The safety and well-being of everyone onboard is always a top priority.

The MS Maud is now en route to Bremerhaven, Germany, where all passengers will disembark. The HX team is actively arranging travel for the guests to return home.

This incident occurred during the ship’s 14-night ‘Northern Lights Expedition Cruise’ which was set to conclude on December 23. Rogue waves, known scientifically as “extreme storm waves,” are unusually large and unpredictable, often appearing suddenly and from unexpected directions.

The National Ocean Service describes these waves as appearing like ‘walls of water’, characterized by their steep sides and deep troughs. They are more than double the size of surrounding waves and can be highly dangerous.

HX has stated their commitment to safety, working closely with health, safety, and maritime experts to ensure rigorous measures are in place for crisis prevention and management.

This event comes a year after a similar incident involving the Viking Polaris, another expedition ship hit by a rogue wave, resulting in one fatality and several injuries. Stewart Chiron, an industry expert, comments that while rogue wave strikes on cruise ships are rare, they are not impossible, and depend on geographical locations and seasonal factors. Cruise lines continually monitor weather conditions to navigate the safest and smoothest courses, but sometimes unexpected natural occurrences like rogue waves can present significant challenges.