UPDATE: Viking Sky, which earlier today issued a distress call after it had lost power on the west coast of Norway, is underway at a slow speed.
At 2015 local time, the ship was making 3.8 knots and it is steering at a course of 311 degrees, information on Marinetraffic.com shows. There is a 40 know wind form the west, according to the same source.
The said course is taking the ship further away from the land, a map on MarineTraffic.com shows.
FIRST STORY: Passengers are being evacuated from Viking Sky of Viking Ocean Cruises on the west coast of Norway after the 2017 built cruise ship had lost power on the west coast of Norway, the police in the More and Romsdal County in Norway said.
Media reports say that the total number of persons on board was about 1,300, when the ship lost power, It has been able to restart one of its four main engines that drive generators which again power electric motors and anchor near the coast. About 100 people had been air lifted to land from the 47,800 gross ton ship by late afternoon local time, reports said.
“Just past 14:00 on Saturday 23 March the Norwegian police received information about a cruise ship in distress due to engine problems in Hustadvika off the midwestern coast of Norway. The ship was subsequently identified as the Viking Sky,” the police said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“We urge the public to make room for emergency vehicles, evacuation buses etc. as our response teams are currently (at 17:00 hrs) experiencing difficulties in reaching their destinations due to gathering spectators,” the poice said.
“The ship's passengers are currently evacuated by the police and transported to the indoor sport court Brynhallen in the Fræna municipality. Municipal officers are assisting the police and have provided basic necessities in Brynshallen. The police is registering all passengers arriving at Brynshallen,” it added.
Five helicopters are on the scene and the ship has anchored in Hustadsvika Bay, ITV News in the UK report. There are heavy seas and high winds in the area.
Viking Sky was built by Fincantieri in Italy and it has capacity for 930 passengers and it sailed on its maiden voyage in February 2017. It flies the Norwegian flag.
