Power and Propulsion Loss on MS Maud During Storm Pia/Zoltan: Incident on December 21, 2023

Introduction

On December 21, 2023, the MS Maud encountered a harrowing situation in the North Sea, approximately 200 miles from the Danish coast. Amidst Storm Pia/Zoltan, the vessel suffered a loss of power and navigational systems due to propulsion issues caused by a rogue wave. The incident, occurring while the ship was en route from Florø, Norway, to Tilbury-London, UK, resulted in damages including broken windows and water ingress into the Wheelhouse/Navigation Bridge.

Details of the Incident

The MS Maud, carrying 397 individuals (266 passengers and 131 crew), faced a critical situation when it lost power and navigational abilities. While no serious injuries were reported, passengers and crew were mustered in survival suits and life jackets for about four hours as a safety precaution. Although one engine was restarted, the ship’s radar and navigational systems remained nonfunctional.

In a challenging scenario, the vessel, being manually navigated, requested assistance. Denmark’s maritime authorities orchestrated the rescue operation, deploying two offshore support vessels from Esvagt. The MS Maud was subsequently towed to Bremerhaven, Germany, for necessary repairs.

Operational Context

The incident took place during Storm Pia/Zoltan, a powerful windstorm active from December 20 to 22, affecting regions including the UK, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. The storm caused significant travel disruptions and flooding, particularly along the Dutch coast and the Elbe River in Hamburg. CruiseMapper’s satellite AIS data indicated that MS Maud departed Florø on December 20 and arrived in Bremerhaven on December 23.