When a cargo ship from the Netherlands named “Eemslift Hendrika” ran aground sixty nautical miles west of Ålesund on 5 April last year, a demanding rescue operation was launched. For a while there was a danger that the ship could run aground and, among other things, several hundred tonnes of oil could leak out and have serious consequences for animal and bird life. In a report that the Dutch Safety Board has now published, it appears, among other things, that parts of the cargo were not properly secured or thoroughly inspected. Questions are also raised about the captain’s choice of route in view of the weather conditions and how knowledge and tasks were communicated in connection with crew changes. – We see that a number of misjudgments have been made that need to be looked at from the shipping company’s side, says Director of Communications in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, Dag Inge Aarhus. The crew was rescued, but the ship eventually lost engine power. Photo: KV Sortland Director of the Coastal Administration, Einar Vik Arset, agrees. – In general, we can state that it is important to have respect for Norwegian winter weather, and that it is extremely important to secure cargo. It was Sunnmørsposten that mentioned the report first. Avoided a safer route for fear of more paperwork Just days before the vessel headed for Norway, the ship had a crew change, where, among other things, the captain was replaced. The weather forecasts were already bad, and the shipping company therefore advised the new captain to use a pilot along the Norwegian coast. The captain was also advised to choose a route inland. On 7 April, salvage personnel gained control of the vessel and towed it to Ålesund. Photo: Kystverket But even though the weather forecast got worse and worse, the captain still chose to stick to a route on the open sea. According to the report, his opinion was that there would be a lot of paperwork associated with a route closer to land with a pilot. According to the report, the captain had also had less than good experiences with the Norwegian authorities in the past, which contributed to the choice of route. Director of Communications in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, Dag Inge Aarhus. Photo: Gisle Jørgensen / news This seems unreasonable to Director of Communications in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, Dag Inge Aarhus. – When you see what happened to the vessel and what the consequences could be, I think that claim falls on its own unreasonableness. He hints at the report, which points out that other choices could have been made to make it safer for the crew, the environment and the vessel. – Whatever can be done to make sailing as safe as possible, that must be done. Coast director, Einar Vik Arset in front of “Eemslift Hendrika” after the ship was towed to Ålesund. Photo: Tore Ellingseter / news The Coastal Administration is responsible for the pilotage service and the paperwork the captain would avoid. Director Einar Vik Arset has not heard such an argument before. – I do not have the impression that the industry has problems reporting to the Norwegian authorities. On the contrary, the industry reports that they are satisfied, says Vik and adds: – But when it is presented in a report, it is natural to look at it and possibly follow up. Insufficiently secured cargo triggered capsize For several days the cargo ship drifted without engine power in the waves off the Norwegian coast. Photo: CHC The deck cargo was inspected during the captain’s handover, but the cargo was not in the hold. According to the report, the new captain must have trusted that the cargo in the hold was sufficiently lashed and secured. During the trip across the Norwegian Sea, this cargo came loose and made a hole in one of the ballast tanks. The hold was filled with water after these thrusters punctured the ballast tank. The crew tried to pump out the water, but the pumps did not work properly. Meanwhile, the cargo had also punctured another ballast tank. The ship became unbalanced and suffered a 30-degree list. The crew was ordered to don survival suits and the vessel sent out a distress signal. In the report, the Dutch Safety Board has concluded that a more optimal fastening system would have been able to withstand the strong forces of nature that were at play. The rescue operation on the ship was demanding. – Important to learn lessons Coastal director Einar Vik Arset says that the experience has been an important lesson for the Coastal Administration. – It is rare for a vessel to operate without a crew on board. We have practiced that a little and we need to practice it more, he says. In retrospect, they have also changed the routine associated with emergency towing equipment, and looked more at clearer and better communication between the Coastal Administration and municipalities when there is a risk of oil spills. In the report, the shipping company received recommendations to make changes in the way they operate when transporting heavy cargo. “Eemslift Hendrika” at the quay in Ålesund after the incident. Photo: Tore Ellingseter / news The Norwegian Maritime Directorate did an inspection of the ship after the incident, and the report from the Netherlands is in line with what they found then, says Aarhus. Dag Inge Aarhus in the directorate says they will now read the report thoroughly and assess whether there is a clear breach of regulations or safety legislation that could possibly lead to an infringement fee. – Things can happen unexpectedly, but that is why it is so important to learn from such events. news has been in contact with the shipping company Amasus, which owns the wrecked ship. They do not wish to comment on the matter.
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– Claims about paperwork are unreasonable – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
