Eemslift Hendrika Under Tow Towards Ålesund – 13.30 Update

13.30 CET Update:

The tow is still going as planned, and is now just south of Godøya outside Ålesund. The expected time of arrival at the quay is between 16.00 and 17.00, but this depends, among other things, on minor work that must be carried out before the ship is docked.

The Eemslift Hendrika will now be berthed at  Flatholmen 6, not Storneskaia as was previously announced, .

08.00 CET Update:

From the Kystverket: The tow continues towards Ålesund, and maintains a speed of around 3 knots. There have been no special challenges during the night, but the level of preparedness is maintained until the ship is safe at the quay.

The salvage crew is on board the casualty, and the tow is followed by KV Bergen.

There are now 6 m/s wind and 3-5 meter waves.

07.30 CET:

A lot happened during some hectic hours last night, Wednesday 7th of April. First, the Norwegian Coastal Administration mobilized according to their contingency plan against acute pollution, salvage crews managed to get on board the drifting vessel Eemslift Hendrika and managed to connect it to the two tugboats, BB Ocean and Normand Drott. The vessel is now being towed to harbour in Ålesund.

Conditions changed during the afternoon and evening, and we were worried that the vessel would not follow the expected course on which the original plan was based. We therefore launched a governmental run operation , so that we had the opportunity to tow the vessel. At the same time, we prepared for a worst-case scenario where we could get a grounding, says director for preparedness against acute pollution, Hans-Petter Mortensholm.

During the evening, there was a successful operation to put crew from the Dutch salvage company Smit Salvage, plus a rescuer from the helicopter on board the Eemslift Hendrika. They managed to connect the vessel to two tugboats – both at the bow and stern of the ship.

The last report issued on Wednesday evening reads: “The risk of grounding has been avoided, and the ship will be towed to Ålesund via Breisundet. The Norwegian Coastal Administration maintains emergency preparedness until the ship is safely ashore. The Coast Guard ship KV Bergen is involved as a security vessel. The NCA has additional vessel resources in readiness in the area.”

All photographs courtesy of KV Bergen and Kystverket

Source The Norwegian Coastal Administration