Storm waves at the Horn

Taken from the Crow's Nest (12th deck bar) of the Prinsendam Feb. 1, 2007 on the day we got hit by the two rogue waves. We had recently passed Cape Horn at the tip of South America. The video was shot through windows covered with salt spray. I used the video option on the Canon S3 IS digital still camera.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Crow's
• Nest
• Prinsendam
• Cape
• Horn
• waves
• arzzprinsendam

[jerramy]

I worked in a Greek shipping company. I have heard many tales. Once, a captain came back to say that the Panamax tanker they were travelling in got caught in a storm where the waves were so high that the ship was bending like a banana and the Phillipino crew were on their knees and praying. I have been visiting on these huge oil tankers and I can only imagine what kind of seas could cause them to bend. Kludos to the makers who design for these kind of extreme stresses.

[PhysWizEP]

@jerramy  I have heard the really big boats are built to flex. What worries me is a roll. And of course, that is what almost happened at lunch, a 24 degree tilt that surprised us all (sliding across the dining room).

[PhysWizEP]

The Captain estimated around 70 - 80 ft. I think. This kind of thing is hard to estimate, especially when they hit you by surprise. We were already in a storm with hurricane strength winds and waves frequently 40 ft and more. As several people commented above, not unusual for the Drake Passage. The ship handled it very well.

[LaPistolerina]

scary stuff!

[TheThreeWiseGamers]

any one notice when you say cape horn it sounds like ''gay porn'' lol....anybody?



[kenfo0]

@Rv2Bx4 really? more power than a tornado? more power than an earthquake? more power than a tsunami? How about a hurricane? Or a 1/4 mile wide asteroid? get a grip son.

[Oakleaf700]

Yes, I bet you would pray if you thought your ship was in Peril-I definitely would!-to be in the middle of the ocean, in a huge storm, in a flexing ship, anyone would feel hugely vulnerable, and the sailors of old had many superstitions, precisely because their lives were at risk every time they sailed. Ships are larger now, but the sea is still an awesome element, and even the biggest modern vessel is but a minescule speck on the sea's surface..safe passage to all mariners!

[stevenreiss]

@PhysWizEP that s nice

[Rv2Bx4]

Each one of those waves has enough energy to destroy a five story building, it is natures most awe inspiring show of power.

[BendikBS]

Say Cape Horn 5 times.

[sophieopreis]

I was working on the P-dam at that time! Was terrible! Worked all night to clean up the mess and reschedule the rest of the cruise!

We still made it to Antarctica!! That was my goal!!!

[surfr009]

wow and you were on the 12 deck those waves must have been around 40 - 50 feet