Viking Ocean Cruises’ ship Viking Sky came within a ‘ship’s length’ of running aground after getting into difficulties during a violent storm off the Norwegian coast earlier this year.
Officials from Norway’s Accident Investigation Board have reported a low level of lubricating oil in the Viking Sky caused all three engines in the ship to shut down in March.
Loss of engine power caused a blackout and the vessel lost propulsion, with the low oil levels being complicated by the pitching and rolling of the ship in rough seas near Hustadvika.
The report found oil levels were at least 30% lower than recommended.
Officials said Viking Sky came within a ‘ship’s length’ of running aground during the March incident. At the time, the vessel was carrying 915 passengers and 458 crew members.
The captain had dropped both anchors and broadcast a mayday signal that triggered the emergency alarm, but Viking Sky continued to drift toward the shore.
Eventually, the emergency diesel generator started and crew members shifted enough oil to the engines to maneuver the ship toward open waters with both anchors still lowered.
Rescue teams then began evacuated 479 passengers by helicopter. The remaining passengers and crew stayed on board until it returned to port.
The next sailing of Viking Sky had to be cancelled.
