The cruise ship was adrift 14 hours starting Sunday before tugboats arrived Monday morning.

TALLINN — The Tallink cruise ship Silja Europa experienced rudder malfunction Sunday afternoon near the Aland Archipelago, sending the ship adrift until tugboats arrived Monday to towed it to the Turku, Finland harbor.

The cause of the malfunction is not clear; divers will examine the rudder blades before the ship comes to dock. Tallink confirmed that at least six Estonians are on-board the ship, but a full list of passengers and their nationality has not been released yet. At no time were passengers put at risk by the incident.

Silja Europa, who operates a cruise line between Turku and Stockholm once a day from both harbors, left Stockholm harbor Sunday morning with 1,373 passengers and 286 crew members on board. The rudder stopped working at approximately 4 p.m. that afternoon.

The tugboat Ukko arrived to Silja Europa at 7 a.m. Monday morning and after performing tests in open waters began towing the cruise ship to Turku.

According to Luule Lääne, Tallink Group communication director, the reached Turku around 4:30 p.m. Monday, but before entering the harbor, the divers must investigate the rudder blades under water. After the process is completed, passengers may then leave the ship.

“The passengers on board are offered free meals and cabins,” Lääne told Baltic Reports. “After arrival the company shall offer assistance for those who are not from Finland and want to return home.“

Lääne said scheduled departures of the Silja Europa have been canceled, and that all the tickets would be fully refunded. The ferry company apologized to all the passengers for the inconveniences and thanked them for their understanding in the situation.