According to the police chief in the West police district, Roger Grundersen, the crew was tested for the influence of drugs. One of them was found to have a blood alcohol level after a breathalyzer test. BT wrote today that the captain is wanted after the accident. Police prosecutor Kjetil Linge Tomren tells the newspaper that there is suspicion of navigating the boat while under the influence of drugs. The police have also obtained a blood sample from the person concerned, a man in his 30s. – The crew has not been interviewed yet, but we aim to have it done, says Helge Blindheim, operations manager in the West Police District. The lifeboats “Idar Ulstein” and “Simrad Buholmen” went out to the casualty outside Hoddevika. Photo: The rescue company Kystradioen received the dramatic message from the tug just after 11pm on Tuesday evening. The report then also stated that the tugboat had started to take on water. The towboat went on the reef outside Hoddevika in Stad municipality. – They had lost engine power and were getting ready to go in a raft, says rescue manager Erik Willassen at the Central Rescue Center in Southern Norway. A mayday relay was sent out via the coastal radio, and both boats and air resources were sent to the city. Half an hour later, the person on board the barge and the four on board the tug “Waterlord” were rescued by helicopter. The weather was not bad when the towboat ran aground. Photo: The rescue company – The tug dropped anchor, so it stayed off shore, but it wasn’t a long distance. It was quite close to land when they were evacuated, says Willassen. The crew on board were flown ashore, where they were received by the police and people from the ambulance service. The Stadhavet and the area around the Stadhalvøya are known for being harsh. It is not clear why the towboat ran aground. – There was some wind and some sea, but no storm, says Willassen. The tug “Waterlord” was helped by the lifeboat “Idar Ulstein” to get to Måløy. Photo: Erling Waage The towboat has now been towed to Måløy, while the barge is docked. The police have seized the boat for further investigation. Published 21.08.2024, at 06.28 Updated 21.08.2024, at 14.19
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Captain aiming after the accident at Stad – news Vestland
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