Extreme wind gust rocks Norwegian cruise ship; several passengers, crew members injured

Several guests and crew members were injured aboard a Norwegian cruise ship late Sunday when an extreme gust of wind rocked the ship, tilting it portside, according to the cruise line.

Ambulances were waiting Tuesday morning when the Norwegian Escape docked at Port Canaveral, in case any injured passengers required additional care.

The seven-day cruise began in New York City.

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The cruise line said there was no damage to the ship and that those who were injured were treated by the ship’s medical staff.

The cruise line said that the extreme gust of wind clocked in at 100 knots, which equates to more than 100 mph.

The cruise line has not said how many people were injured. The ship can carry as many as 4,000 passengers and 1,700 crew members.

Passenger Grace Corey said she and her boyfriend, Louis Kent, were on the ship's 15th floor.

"He actually opened the door to our balcony and he just saw a wave coming at us," she said of her boyfriend. "He closed it real quick and was, like, 'We gotta get out of here. Something's not right.'"

Ambulances heading into Port Canaveral where the Norwegian Escape docked after a rough time at sea. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/u1AvpXMjLw
— Jeff Deal (@JDealWFTV) March 5, 2019

Kent said it was clear that something unusual had happened.

"They have an art gallery," he said. "Art was destroyed. There was glass everywhere. There was a lot of damage."

Passenger Richard Green said he feared the ship might topple over.

"Well, I was thinking the boat was going down," he said. "At that point, I said, 'This is it.' It felt like the boat was turning over."

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates from Port Canaveral.

Here’s a better look at the Norwegian Escape coming in. #WFTV pic.twitter.com/JO8dvJI5vr
— Jeff Deal (@JDealWFTV) March 5, 2019

Just before midnight on Sunday, March 3, Norwegian Escape encountered unexpected weather in the form of a sudden, extreme gust of wind, estimated at 100 knots, which resulted in the ship heeling to the port side. (cont.)
— Cruise Norwegian (@CruiseNorwegian) March 4, 2019

Several injuries were reported and those guests and crew received immediate attention or are being treated by the ship’s medical staff. There was no damage to the ship; she remains fully operational and continues her scheduled itinerary. (cont.)
— Cruise Norwegian (@CruiseNorwegian) March 4, 2019

She is currently headed to Port Canaveral for an anticipated early arrival on March 5. Neither the current itinerary, nor the next sailing are expected to be impacted.
— Cruise Norwegian (@CruiseNorwegian) March 4, 2019