But there was no indication the ship was taking in water at this stage, he said, although five of the crew were on deck.

BBC: Hunt for five missing crew of sunken Swanland halts

While the crew on the flight deck were frantically trying to figure out the cause of this freak failure, many passengers were largely unaware that anything was wrong.

BBC: When volcanic ash stopped a Jumbo at 37,000ft

On the deck the crew of the R Tucker Thompson are helping other passengers into safety harnesses, so they too can fulfil the childhood fantasy of climbing the rigging.

BBC: All at sea in New Zealand

On the main deck, crew members using a crane transferred several tons of steel beams and plating to the other ship.

NEWYORKER: Neptune��s Navy

The crew lifted another portion of the line on deck and, this time, brought it to an eyelet at the bow, through which it could be threaded and brought on board with minimum danger to the propellers.

NEWYORKER: Neptune��s Navy

As the boat is slammed by searing winds and tumultuous seas, he staggers around, sliding over slippery decks, seasick, bruised, exhausted and wholly in awe of the crew's ability to work on the roiling deck, in the pitching gutting room and the ice-filled hold.

ECONOMIST: Living off the cruel sea

Gautier will rediscover his trimaran Foncia after modification work to improve the layout of the deck, which should make manoeuvres much easier to perform for the crew on board.

BBC: The field: Foncia heads favourites

The fire started on an aft mooring deck and spread to the fourth deck at the crew lounge area before it was extinguished, U.S. Coast Guard spokeswoman Marilyn Fajardo said.

CNN: Cruise ship diverted to Bahamas port after fire

Beneath the two passenger decks of this modified super jumbo is an Air Force One-style air-stair -- allowing access to the tarmac without the need for a sky-bridge or external staircase -- and a crew dining area, crew gallery, crew bathroom, sleeping quarters for eight on bunk beds, a communications room and spiral staircase leading to the main deck.

CNN: Luxury living at 35,000 ft