Norway cruise ship with engine problems docks safely

The cruise ship Viking Sky that had encountered engine trouble off Norway's western coast has docked in a port and all passengers and crew are safe, the ship's operator Viking Cruises said on Sunday.

The cruise ship, Viking Sky, with 1,373 people on board sent out a distress signal on Saturday around 14:00 (1300 GMT) after having engine problems in the stormy weather at Hustadvika, a 19-km long section of coastline in Norway's western county of More og Romsdal.

Rescue services decided to evacuate passengers aboard by using five helicopters. As of 10:00 a.m. on Sunday (0900 GMT), 479 people had been evacuated from the ship.

With three of its four engines back in operation on Sunday morning, the ship with 436 guests and 458 crew onboard started to go to the port of Molde, the administrative center of More og Romsdal, accompanied by two offshore supply ships and one tug assist vessel.

At 16:30 on Sunday (1530 GMT), the Viking Sky docked in the port of Molde, Viking Cruises said in a press release, adding "All passengers and crew are safe, and passengers will be flying home starting tonight."

A total of 27 people were injured on board the cruise ship, Norway's public broadcaster NRK reported.

The Norway-registered cruise ship Viking Sky was on its way from Norway's northern city of Tromso to its southern city of Stavanger when the engine trouble took place, according to the website Marine Traffic.