Fire at Sea: Cruise Ship Rescue | Adrift | 3

Against The Odds

Wondery

Cassie De Pecol, History, Society & Culture, Dolby, Mike Corey, Dolby Atmos, Atmos

4.7 • 7.2K Ratings

🗓️ 9 May 2023

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

With the fire aboard Prinsendam now burning out of control, the captain gives the order to abandon ship. Passengers, some dressed only in pajamas and nightgowns, scramble into wooden lifeboats, which are lowered into the dark and frigid waters of the Gulf of Alaska. Meanwhile, rescue vessels – both military and private – rush to the scene. But with over 500 passengers and crew in need of saving, and a typhoon closing in, they’re in a race against time.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, Prime members, you can listen to against the odds at free on Amazon music. Download the app today.
0:17.2	Jeannie Gilmore and her mother Niva can't stop coughing. Thick clouds of smoke seem to be following them no matter where they go on the ship's deck.
0:27.7	It's 4 a.m. on October 4th, 1980. Three hours since Jeannie and Niva were awakened by an announcement that there was a fire in the engine room of the cruise ship Prinsendown, and all passengers needed to gather outside on the deck.
0:46.7	At first, Jeannie believed the cruise assurances, that the fire was under control. But now, it's clear to her that it's not. Smoke is creeping up from the hull of the ship, curling onto the deck where Jeannie and Niva huddle in the cold.
1:03.7	It's catching in their throats, making them choke and cough.
1:09.7	Jeannie sees an empty bench and leads her mother to it. Niva sits down with a sigh. She's still very pale, but Jeannie is glad to see that her elderly mother seems to be more alert than she was a few hours ago.
1:23.7	She reaches for Jeannie's hand.
1:26.7	I'm sorry about this Jeannie. The trip was my idea. If it wasn't for me, we'd be home.
1:32.7	Jeannie shakes her head. Mom, don't be silly. I'm just glad I'm here with you. Besides, you can't beat that view.
1:40.7	She motions toward the night sky, blazing above the dark waters of the Gulf of Alaska, are the northern lights.
1:49.7	Jeannie and Niva gaze up at the dancing waves of green and purple. But just then, a passenger strides past a look of a alarm on his face.
2:01.7	The dining room is on fire.
2:04.7	Jeannie wonders if she heard right. The dining room is just one deck below them. Could the fire really be that close?
2:12.7	She feels Niva tightens her grip on her hand and squeezes back. It's going to be okay, Mom. I promise.
2:21.7	Jeannie hears something in the distance. She stands and rushes to the deck railing, scanning the night sky for the source. She calls back to Niva.
2:31.7	Mom, it's a helicopter.
2:35.7	She feels Niva arrive at her side and puts her arm around her mother's shoulders.
2:40.7	I told you, Mom. We're going to be okay. Look, help us here.
2:44.7	Suddenly, the deck is illuminated by a powerful spotlight from above. The helicopter hovers for a moment, then begins slowly circling the ship.
2:55.7	It can't be more than a few hundred feet above them. Jeannie tightens her grip on Niva's arm as they feel the wind from the rotors.
3:05.7	Around them, some passengers start applauding. Others wave their arms furiously.
3:10.7	She sees one woman wiping tears from her eyes. As the helicopter circles, the shadows cast by its powerful flood light.
	...

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