– The deviations are particularly serious in terms of the areas in which the boat is to be used. If something happens, it is in an area where it is difficult to get assistance or rescue. This is what communications adviser in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, Dag Inge Aarhus, says after more than 20 serious faults were discovered on the cruise ship “Ocean Atlantic” in Svalbard. – There are quite serious findings, not least the amount of deviations. Among the deviations are fire systems that do not work as they should, deviations on the main engine and auxiliary engines, as well as lack of maintenance on a number of systems. It was Svalbardposten that first mentioned the case. The cruise ship began taking on water after hull damage earlier this month, but failed to report the incident to the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Both that incident and the newly discovered deviations have meant that the directorate is now refusing the ship to leave the harbor in Longyearbyen. – It is extra important to have things in order when you are taking passengers to polar regions, says Aarhus. According to the company’s website, the ship is 140 meters long and can carry up to 198 passengers. Communications adviser in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, Dag Inge Aarhus, says they are taking the matter seriously. Photo: Gisle Jørgensen / news Deviations on “Ocean Atlantic” The Norwegian Maritime Directorate found a total of 23 deviations on Ocean Atlantic. Among these are: Damage referred to as a hole in an engine room two meters below the water surface. Faults in fire pumps, fire doors, fire dampers and fire safety systems. Lack of maintenance on a number of different matters. Alarm systems that do not work as desired Faults on the main engine and the auxiliary engines Does not satisfy the ISM regulations (International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention) Faults on emergency equipment In addition, the ship has 13 outstanding deviations from an inspection carried out in Great Britain in the spring of 2022. Source: Inspection report from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Claims that the authorities were notified The shipping company Albatross expedition owns the ship “Ocean Atlantic”. Media and marketing manager for the shipping company, Andrea Bagi, writes in an e-mail to news that the ship has not been in operation for the past two years. “[…] although the ship actually had to be renovated before the start of the current season, a previous inspection in May found everything to be safe and operational.” Furthermore, the shipping company writes in the email that the authorities were notified when the leak in the hull was discovered, and that a coast guard vessel was called. Read the full response from Albatros Expeditions The vessel in question, Ocean Atlantic, has not been in operation for the past two years, and although the ship did indeed have to be renovated before the start of the current season, a previous inspection in May found that everything is safe and operational. After a leak in the hull was discovered on the afternoon of July 18 and quickly fixed, the authorities were notified and a Coast Guard vessel was called to investigate. At the moment, the vessel is docked in Longyearbyen, and the list of identified defective items is currently undergoing inspection and rectification. The safety of our passengers and staff is our number one priority and we fully support the crew as they work with local authorities to resolve this matter so we can safely continue our season. As we are not sure of the timeline for the work to be done, unfortunately we cannot provide more information about the upcoming plans. The governor takes the case seriously The governor of Svalbard tells news that they have assisted the Norwegian Maritime Directorate in verifying the information that came in a report of concern. – Following this, the Governor has been in dialogue with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, and has been informed that a number of serious defects had been discovered with the vessel, says the police attorney for the Governor, Magnus Rindal Fredriksen. The relationship has so far not been reported, but the Governor is taking the matter seriously. – It is worrying that a vessel with so many passengers and a large crew is traveling in rough waters when it has so many serious faults, says Fredriksen. He states that there is currently an exceptionally large amount of tourist activity in the surrounding area and on Svalbard. – We have a relatively high control activity, and carry out the controls we have capacity for based on the resources available, says Fredriksen. The Governor has previously expressed concern about reduced control activity with ships and helicopters. The leader of the Longyearbyen local government tells news that these incidents show the importance of a good regulatory framework and control regime. – It is something we have in place, and it is important that it is followed, says Arild Olsen (Ap). Changes in sight Last year, a proposal with changes to the environmental regulations on Svalbard was submitted for consultation, which, among other things, deals with new rules for tourism operators in the island kingdom. It was the Solberg government that first announced new measures to reduce the strain on nature in Svalbard. Among other things, it was pointed out that the current regulations are not adapted to the growth in tourism in recent years. The number of recorded landings in the island kingdom increased from around 30,000 in 1996 to 124,000 in 2019. The growth is expected to continue, according to the Norwegian Environment Agency. The same applies to climate change. The proposal also includes, among other things: Tightening of the ban on seeking out polar bears and a requirement to keep a distance of at least 500 metres. Prohibition of motorized traffic on sea ice after 1 March on selected fjords out of consideration for ringed seals and polar bears. Speed limit at sea of 5 knots in an area 500 meters from selected bird cliffs during the breeding season Ban on the use of drones in protected areas and close to bird cliffs during the breeding season. The consultation deadline for the new proposal expired on 1 May this year. The head of state must now sum up the consultation input to the amendment proposal and then give his advice to the Norwegian Environment Agency. The Norwegian Environment Agency then considers the recommendation from the Governor and then sends a combined recommendation to the Ministry of Climate and the Environment by 31 December 2022. The proposal is controversial, and very unpopular among the tourism industry on Svalbard. Tourism in the island kingdom has previously put forward demands that the government withdraw the new environmental rules. Climate and Environment Minister Espen Barth Eide is traveling to Svalbard next week. The main purpose of the trip is to get a good basis for assessing the proposal for changes to the environmental regulations when it comes to the table of the ministry, they inform news. Several incidents In recent weeks, there have been several incidents related to tourists and tourist boats in Svalbard. A foreign shipping company brought 50 weapons and a significant amount of ammunition to Svalbard without the necessary permission. The case is still under investigation. In addition, a tourist boat ran aground and had to be towed to Longyearbyen. The tourist boat “Isbjørn II” grounded in Svalbard earlier this month, and had to be towed back to Longyearbyen. Photo: The Governor of Svalbard A government-appointed committee will tighten the regulations for the cruise industry. They propose giving cruise ships restrictions in bad weather, and limiting the number of passengers allowed to come to Svalbard. The proposal is now out for consultation with a deadline of 15 September. The Ministry of Justice will follow up on the case when the deadline has expired.
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The Norwegian Maritime Directorate refuses to leave Longyearbyen – news Troms and Finnmark
