Cruise liner Viking Sky docked safely into Molde harbour, Norway, yesterday afternoon with 436 passengers and 458 crew onboard.

The vessel lost engine power on Saturday off the coast of Norway, an area known for its rough waters. As weather conditions became perilous and the ship began to drift dangerously towards the shore, Viking Sky issued a mayday call and the rescue mission began, which saw 479 passengers airlifted to safety by helicopter.

The ship regained power on Sunday morning and sailed to Molde harbour with 894 passengers and crew still on board. It was accompanied by two supply ships and one tug assist vessel to ensure its safe arrival into port.

In the latest statement issued by Viking Ocean Cruises, it said how its “first priority was the safety and well-being of our passengers and our crew” and thanked all those involved for their support:

“We would like to thank the Norwegian Redningssentral and the Norwegian emergency services for their support and skill displayed in managing the situation in very challenging weather conditions. We would also like to thank the local residents who throughout the whole process have been extremely supportive and hospitable.”

All of the passengers and crew have been accounted for and the twenty passengers who were injured have reportedly been treated. The majority of guests have now disembarked and are travelling back to their homes. Viking Ocean Cruises has announced that it will continue to follow up with passengers to ensure their needs are covered and has already begun its own internal investigation to establish a complete and thorough understanding of what happened.

“The past few days have been stressful and hectic for both guests and crew alike. I would like to personally apologise for what our guests experienced. I would also like to say how impressed and grateful I am for the efforts of the national rescue services, rescue personnel, local authorities and the people along the Møre coast, and thank them for the concern and generosity they have shown our guests. I would also like to express my thanks to the crew on board the Viking Sky for their efforts and dedication”, says Torstein Hagen, founder of Viking Cruises.

Viking Sky’s maiden voyage was in February 2019. Its next sailing, Scandinavia & the Kiel Canal, which was scheduled to embark on March 27th, has been cancelled, and guests and their travel agents have been contacted directly.

We will continue to update this article as we receive further information. Follow our updates on Twitter.

Image courtesy of: David Hernandez, @oxman78