The cruise ship Norwegian Escape was hit by a strong gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, on Sunday, March 3, 2019, which caused the ship to tilt extremely to the port side. The accident happen at around 11:45 pm causing fear among the passengers and crew as the tilting caused many tables, chairs, machines, and other objects to be tipped over. Norwegian Cruise Line reports that several guests and crew were injured.
According to Samantha Foster sailing on Norwegian Escape, the vessel tilted almost completely on its side. The life rafts on the deck below were completely submerged says the passenger who was on the 16th deck with her mother waiting, frozen in fear, holding the wall so they wouldn’t roll out of bed, for the water to hit the balcony. She adds “I kept thinking it can’t possibly keep tipping and it kept tipping. Everything in our room falling and sliding...I have never been so scared in my whole life. The boat finally after what seemed an eternity tilted a little back and we ran to my parent’s room on the other side of the boat. They were scared too. We went downstairs to rescue a friend. Everyone was out of their rooms. Holding each other, crying, smoking ...Many spent the night in common areas with jackets on ready to evacuate! Not that we were told this was a possibility ... but everyone was scared. Even the cruise director when we came on right after the tilting started, his voice was shaking and he could barely speak. All the plates and glassware smashed on the floor. A lotto machine fell on a lady. Blood everywhere. My mom spoke with a lady today who has been working cruises for 18 years and she said never has anything this bad ever happened. All the staff who were below decks were screaming and crying. All of this to be said! Everyone is ok. People were hurt and scared but for the most part, everything is good today. Hands down the most terrified I’ve ever been in my life. Can’t wait to hit solid ground...”
Tony Ciaramello passenger sailing on Escape posted a video shortly after the cruise ship tilted. From the clip, you can see terrified passengers holding to the pillars and other interior objects as the ship continues to tilt after the extreme heeling to the side. The video also captures the Code Alpha announcement thru the PA system directing the medical teams to the Casino on Deck 7, and a crew member directing passengers to the mid ship.
Posted by Tony Ciaramello on Monday, March 4, 2019
Norwegian Cruise Line posted the following announcement on twitter
“Just before midnight on Sunday, March 3, Norwegian Escape encountered unexpected weather in the form of a sudden, extreme gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, which resulted in the ship heeling to the port side.
Several injuries were reported and those guests and crew received immediate attention or are being treated by the ship’s medical staff. There was no damage to the ship; she remains fully operational and continues her scheduled itinerary.
She is currently headed to Port Canaveral for an anticipated early arrival on March 5. Neither the current itinerary, nor the next sailing are expected to be impacted.”
There are no reports how many crew and passengers were injured and how serious are the injuries.
