Local

Western Washington couple rescued from troubled Viking cruise in Norway recounts their experience

A husband and wife from Western Washington are back home tonight after being stranded, along with some 1,300 other passengers, aboard a cruise line operated by Viking Cruises that lost power in rough sea.

Ruth and David returned to Seattle less than 24 hours ago.

They were among those traveling on the Viking Sky, that ran into engine trouble in stormy weather last Saturday. The ship lost power about a mile from the rocky Norwegian coastline.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP 

“Up until the catastrophe, it was a wonderful cruise,” said Ruth. “The captain immediately dropped anchor because we were drifting towards the rocky shore which would have capsized the boat”.

Cellphone video images of the commotion inside the boat went viral around the world, where passengers and furniture were seen tossed around like toys.

But according to Ruth and David, despite the chaos, the captain and crew kept everyone on board alerted of what was happening the entire time.

“It's hard to explain how it could be such a violent event and the mood was calm,” said Ruth.

Shortly after the mayday call by the captain, rescue helicopters arrived.

More than 400 people, including David and Ruth, were airlifted to safety. The rest of the passengers were towed back to shore once the weather calmed.

A number of passengers remain in the hospital, including one that’s reported to be in critical condition.

Norwegian officials are also now investigating why the ship may have sailed through the storm despite a possible weather warning.

The passengers on board the Viking Sky were compensated for their trip.

Ruth and David said they were also given another cruise.

They are already planning another vacation next year on a cruise to Russia.