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| The Kong Harald // Photo by Hurtigruten ASA |
At 11:30 p.m. local time in Norway on March 4, Hurtigruten's 11,200-ton Kong Harald hit an underwater water rock and was grounded off the Norwegian coastline at the entrance to Trollfjord, a popular highlight of a Norwegian coastal voyage.
In the midst of an eight-night cruise from Stokmarknes to Bergen, the 450-passenger ship began taking on water, according to the line. Kong Harald remained upright, but was stuck for several hours until high tide lifted the ship free from a rock.
"She then sailed directly to Svolvaer," said the line's statement, "There were 258 passengers onboard, 16 of whom were from the U.K. The situation onboard was calm and all guests now have disembarked."
No guests were reported injured, although the ship's main ballast tank apparently sustained damage. The cruise from March 4 to March 12 has been cancelled and the passengers are being flown home today.
Kong Harald is sailing to a drydock in Fiskarstrand for repairs, the line said in its statement.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for further updates to this developing story.