Twenty four years of maritime experience alerted Mike Pierpoint to a problem before the Viking Sky's emergency alarm began to sound and its captain made the dreaded announcement over the cruise ship's speakers: report to your muster stations.
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"This is not a drill," he said.
It was nearing 2pm on Saturday, March 23 when the cruise ship carrying 1373 passengers, including Mr Pierpoint and wife Robyn, came to a stop in violent seas just off the rocky coast of Norway and a mayday was sent out.
The couple from Corlette had just finished taking part in trivia when the ship, being rocked violently by 15-metre waves, lost power.
"I said to Rob we should have been heading into the sea but we were running parallel to it," said Mr Pierpoint. "Then I notice the lights go and the emergency lighting come on. I said to Robyn 'they've lost everything downstairs, this is not at all good'."
The couple were 10 days into a 12-day cruise on board the Viking Sky - booked to celebrate Mrs Pierpoint's 70th birthday coming up in August and their 45th wedding anniversary - when they became part of a spectacular airlift rescue that captured the attention of the world.
The cruise was stage one of the Pierpoints' holiday. Stage two was a cruise from Venice to Athens scheduled the day after they were due to port in Tilbury.
In what is believed to be one of the biggest rescue operations in modern times, the Pierpoints were two of almost 900 passengers, many of them elderly, flown off the Viking Sky by a relay of helicopters fighting heavy winds.
Remarkably, just 28 people were hospitalised and only one was seriously injured.
The Norwegian cruise ship, owned by Viking Ocean Cruises, was making its way to Stavanger in southern Norway. The stormy conditions worsened throughout the day until the ship's four engines stopped, leaving the ship stranded.
A Norwegian Maritime Authority investigation found that low oil levels were the "direct cause" of the engine failure that stranded the ship.
Immediately after the emergency alarms sounded the Pierpoints made their way to their muster station at the back of the boat.
They were handed lifejackets, which had been outside and were soaking wet. Being one of just two sea days on the cruise, the Pierpoints were not dressed for the freezing temperatures.
Shortly after donning the wet lifejackets the Pierpoints heard an "enormous bang" and freezing water began flooding into the cabin.
"We were standing in about 8 to 10 inches of water," Mrs Pierpoint said. "It was at this moment that I thought 'this is the end - my Titanic moment'.
"I quickly grabbed my mobile phone, took a selfie of the two of us and sent our two children a message to the effect that we were in big trouble.
"It was only later that we discovered the water had come inside following a window or door being smashed in by force of the waves."
Wet and waiting for their turn to be lifted off the boat - the helicopters could only take 20 people at a time - Mr Pierpoint realised some electricity had returned. He said it was a happy moment.
"I said to Robyn 'thank goodness, the bilge pumps will start working and they'll get rid of this water quick smart'. However, we were still rockin' and rolling pretty extremely. But that bit of power meant we could get the anchor down."
The ship anchored a few hundred metres away from rocks known for shipwrecks.
About 6.30pm it was the Pierpoints' turn to be lifted off the boat.
"We were told to hold our arms up in the air, harnessed together and up we went - a distance of about 50 feet in a howling gale," Mrs Pierpoint said. "It was terrifying but there was little time to think about it. The chopper crew were marvellous."
After being lifted to safety, the Pierpoints and fellow rescued passengers were taken to a nearby port and then to a gymnasium.
From there they received medical treatment and blankets before being transported to a hotel in Molde where they were treated to a meal and a stay paid for by Viking Ocean Cruises. The chairman of company, Torstein Hagen, even visited the hotel to meet with passengers.
The following day the passengers were provided with clothing donated by townspeople and were given a credit card preloaded with money to spend on essentials at shops especially opened for them in Molde. It was during this time that the couple were interviewed by a local television station, turning them into minor celebrities during their ongoing travels.
About 4.30pm on Sunday, March 24 the Viking Sky cruise ship with the remaining 900 passengers on board was towed into the port of Molde.
Passengers were able to board the vessel on Monday, March 25 to retrieve their belongings.
Viking Ocean Cruises, which has offered full refunds to all passengers involved in the incident, organised transportation and flights for passengers returning home or connecting flights for those like the Pierpoints who were carrying on with their trips.
While the Port Stephens couple hoped their travel dramas would end with their dramatic rescue, that was not the case. They were re-routed during their trip to Venice and their luggage was left behind.
However, when they finally boarded the Viking Star for their second cruise their luggage was waiting. They said the second, 10-day cruise was filled with "mild weather and calm seas".
The Pierpoints said they were moved by the incredible kindness shown to them by emergency workers, the people of Molde and Viking Ocean Cruises during the ordeal and after. The couple even received a big bouquet of flowers from the cruise company on April 19.
"This was obviously a terrifying experience but we are most grateful for the assistance offered by helicopter crews, the Viking Sky crew, the Red Cross, people of Molde, hotel staff and the Viking Cruises chairman," Mrs Pierpoint said.
Mr Pierpoint has been a member of Port Stephens Marine Rescue for 17 years. In February, he received the National Medal for his service.
Mr Pierpoint said that comments made after the Viking Sky incident was "totally unfounded".
"There was a lot of media comment, totally unfounded, that the ship shouldn't have been there, it should never have sailed this that or the other. All rubbish," he said.
"We had two pilots on board who known the area intimately, we had a very competent captain and we had some bad luck.
"I said to Robyn at the time that there's one of three things that has happened and it's something that is universal. It's either a fuel problem, a coolant problem or something of this nature, like an oil problem. It would be something common. And I was right.
"These motors are made by some of the best manufacturers in the world. We just had some bad luck."
The tale in Mike and Robyn's words:
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
