Voyage of the Vikings Evacuation

Monday, August 10th At Sea We woke up to another rainy day. We went to get our passports back from the ship and we noticed that we were in the middle of a quick U turn. Just then they announced that we were returning to Newcastle, UK because of an emergency. As I write, there is a RAF rescue helicopter hovering just outside of our cabin window. The sea is quite choppy and they have removed everyone from the 11th & 12th decks now. I guess that they are waiting for the right time to drop the basket and remove the sick or wounded passenger. We were eating breakfast with a guy who was in the Marines and he said that when the basket is dropped that they have to ground it against the railing to get rid of the static electricity before they can board the evacuee. I have a perfect view of the helicopter medivacs preparing for their pickup. I really don't know where Jack is with his camera because they won't let anyone above the 10th deck and I really don't think you can see anything from anywhere else. The chopper has moved on over the bow of the ship now, so I hope that they have a successful pickup. Rumor has it that an elderly man lost his balance in the shower, grabbed for the handrail, and it came out of the wall because the screws were rotted. Ok, the captain has just announced that the evacuation is complete. So, now, on with the day!