The government has launched a probe into the nightmare Saga cruise that left 100 passengers injured after a storm hit the Bay of Biscay and caused the vessel to veer to its side.
The Department of Transport and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch [MAIB] have launched an enquiry into the Spirit of Discovery voyage after the ship was battered by the storm for 18 hours, off the French coast.
Fearing that the ‘luxury’ cruise for over 50s could be the ‘next Titanic’, British holidaymakers wrote farewell messages to loved ones in case they didn’t make it back home.
Passengers described how the cruise turned into ‘absolute pandemonium’ as giant waves up to 50ft battered the Saga vessel, and left 100 passengers with injuries as people and furniture were flung across the ship.
Eight ambulances were waiting for passengers at Portsmouth port, Hampshire, after the traumatic incident before four people were taken to hospital after sustaining serious injuries.
Fearing that the ‘luxury’ cruise for over 50s could be the ‘next Titanic’, British holidaymakers wrote farewell messages to loved ones in case they didn’t make it back home
There were reports of people being left with broken bones and one person being resuscitated.
The 14-day Canary cruise on the Spirit of Discovery vessel was cut short following the ‘petrifying’ ordeal.
A 58-year-old female passenger, who did not want to be named, said: ‘You could hear plates crashing and then there was an announcement from the captain who screamed over the tannoy system as the ship veered. The panic in his voice made everyone else panic.
‘People were told to sit down. The ship was all over the place* it was absolute pandemonium. Things were flying everywhere. People were being thrown all over the place.
‘The medics were overrun. My mum saw someone being resuscitated, there were broken bones, people on stretchers and people crying including the crew, who were running around frantically trying to help everyone. It was petrifying.
Passengers described how the cruise turned into ‘absolute pandemonium’ as giant waves up to 50ft battered the Saga vessel
The Spirit of Discovery was battered by the storm for 18 hours, off the French coast
The Spirit of Discovery cut short its two-week voyage and headed back to Portsmouth on Saturday as holidaymakers feared for their lives during the storm in the Bay of Biscay
The majority of those injured were hurt as the ship’s safety system was activated, causing it to dramatically veer and shudder to a halt, according to Saga
The ship was left stationary at the mercy of towering waves for 18 hours, with passengers claiming the waves were as high as 54 feet – taller than three double-decker buses
‘People were sleeping with life jackets on and writing messages home to loved ones in case we didn’t get back. We’re happy to be alive.’
Another said: ‘It was horrible. I thought we were going to be the next Titanic.’
Saga are said to have told guests it would be reimbursing them the cost of the ill-fated voyage.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport confirmed they are working with the MAIB and looking into the disastrous cruise.
The spokeswoman said: ‘We are aware of an incident involving Spirit of Discovery and are making preliminary enquiries.’
The MAIB investigates marine accidents involving UK vessels worldwide and all vessels in UK territorial waters. The MAIB works with the Department for Transport over incidents.
After the incident, a Saga Cruises spokesperson said: ‘Spirit of Discovery was sadly caught in the challenging weather conditions this weekend, as she started her return to the UK.
‘The ship remained safe at all times but due to the impact of the storm some guests sustained injuries.
‘All were treated immediately by onboard medical staff.
‘While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we want to offer our sincere apologies to all those affected.’