A cargo ship ran aground near Gulen in Vestland early Monday, June 15, after technical issues caused its engine to stop. According to rescue leader Børge Galta of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Southern Norway, the crew is safe, and a tugboat is currently attempting to pull the vessel off the ground amid gale-force winds.
Why did the cargo ship run aground?
Technical failure led to the grounding incident. Børge Galta, a rescue leader at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, told VG that technical trouble on board caused the ship’s engine to stop. This failure caused the vessel to drift toward the shore near Gulen municipality.
What is the current status of the crew and vessel?
All individuals on board the ship are reported to be safe. While the crew managed to deploy an anchor before the ship drifted fully aground, the vessel still made contact with the seabed.
“It has thudded against the bottom. Now we have a tugboat in place that is attempting to pull it off,” Galta said.
What could happen next in the recovery effort?
A tugboat is currently on-site and attempting to refloat the vessel. The operation may be complicated by the weather, as gale-force winds are reported in the area. The success of the extraction will likely depend on these environmental conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the ship to drift?
Technical trouble caused the engine to stop, which led the ship to drift toward the land.
Is anyone injured in the incident?
No, rescue leader Børge Galta reported that everyone on board the ship is doing well.
How is the ship being recovered?
A tugboat has been deployed to the site and is currently attempting to pull the vessel off the ground.
Will the gale-force winds impact the speed of the recovery operation?
