When more than 1,300 stranded passengers and crew on a disabled cruise ship off the coast of Norway were tossed and traumatized by heavy seas and strong winds over the weekend, it was crews from a North Texas company that came to their rescue.
Irving-based CHC Helicopter, a global provider of the most-advanced helicopter services for offshore and onshore uses, played a critical role in the rescue, scrambling helicopter crews to the scene when the cruise liner issued a distress signal after losing engine power in high winds and 25-foot waves.
CHC’s search-and-rescue teams safely airlifted hundreds of people off the ship while it was being tossed about in the turbulent water and drifting toward a rocky shoreline. Dozens of Americans were among those rescued.
The rescue effort went on for over 18 hours; USA Today reported that more than half of the 900 passengers on board were evacuated via helicopter. CHC said that during each mission, the rescued passengers were lifted off the ship and transported to safety.
A passenger is airlifted from the ship by a CHC helicopter. [Photo: via CHC video]
CHC deployed four helicopters to the stricken cruise ship
The company said four of its aircraft—two all-weather search-and-rescue-configured Sikorsky S-92s and two Airbus AS332s—supported the massive rescue efforts, which had to closely coordinated as the choppers operated in heavy weather.
“There are at least two or three helicopters still rescuing people from the cruise ship but there is only one helicopter in operation at one given time because of the weather,” a spokesperson from Norwegian rescue services (HRS Southern Norway) told CNN while the operation was ongoing. “They work in rotations because it is not possible to hoist people from two helicopters working at one time.”
CHC said its team included 12 pilots, six hoist operators, seven rescue swimmers, one system operator, and two engineers. CHC Global Operations Center in Dallas supported the team.
According to news reports, power was eventually restored to three of the ship’s engines and it was towed to port by tug boats.
A CHC crew member is lowered to the deck of the cruise ship. [Photo: via CHC video]
Viking Ocean Cruises, the ship’s owner, said that roughly 20 people were injured during the ordeal.
CHC said that while the cruise ship operation was ongoing, a second incident happened nearby during early evening when the cargo ship “Hagland Captain” encountered problems in the same waters and its crew of nine needed to be evacuated.
A fifth CHC helicopter, along with an aircraft from the coast guard, provided rescue support to the distressed ship.
CHC said it offers offshore transport on six continents and operates one of the most extensive search and rescue networks in the world. Its helicopters protect offshore oil and gas workers in the North Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, both sides of the Indian Ocean, and the Timor Sea.
A CHC helicopter hovers over the Norwegian cruise ship in bad weather. [Photo: via CHC video]
Get on the list.
Dallas Innovates, every day.
Sign up to keep your eye on what’s new and next in Dallas-Fort Worth, every day.
R E A D N E X T
-
Rare is not that rare, says the RDCC. One in ten people lives with a rare disease, and the new coalition will unify life science companies dedicated to developing treatments. The goal? To inform policymakers of the unique challenges in the space. Signature Biologics joins Dallas-based Taysha as a member of the RDCC.
-
It’s the final step in a multi-year transition for the strategic communications firm launched by Gail Cooksey 28 years ago. The agency is “in great hands,” the founder said.
-
The City of Irving has won silver certification from Bloomberg Philanthropies' What Works Cities—the national standard of well-managed cities recognizing the most effective use of data to inform policy and funding decisions. The honor comes in a year that's tested the mettle of municipalities nationwide. Since 2018, 40 cities have achieved the certification. This year 16 new cities were recognized, including gold-winning Austin and silver-winning San Antonio. “During the pandemic, using data to inform decision-making was more important than ever for cities," said Michael Bloomberg in a statement. “By putting data at the center of their COVID-19 response efforts, these cities saved lives and…
-
Early-stage startups and other innovators can submit breakthrough concepts in 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), energy, digital health care, Industry 4.0, and mobility technologies. Applications are open through June 20.
-
Alpine Advanced Materials' patented HX5 weighs half as much as aluminum and is easier to produce. Less weight means less fuel, along with a smaller carbon footprint and lower operating costs, says President Roger Raley. That makes it a gamechanger.
