The 171 meter long, 3690 dwt ro-ro ferry Amorella went aground off Föglö,  Åland Islands near Långnäsvägen.  The Amorella had departed from Turku with 1945 passengers and 69 crewmen bound for Stockholm.  As the vessel passed through the Åland Islands, it suffered a power blackout and went adrift.  Without electricity or steerage, the Amorella ran aground onto a shoal.

Fifteen minutes after the vessel grounded, power was restored on the Amorella. Reports state there was no panic on board, but some passengers had grabbed life vests and went out of deck.  Rescue vessels along with helicopters were dispatched to the scene.  An inspector and diver were transported to the Amorella a few hours later.  An inspection showed the ferry had damaged its ballast tank in the bow.

Six hours after the ferry went aground, the Amorella was pulled free with the assistance of  a tug.  The ferry refloated off the shoal in just five minutes.  The ferry then proceeded under its own power for Mariehamn.  There passengers will  be transferred to other vessels to continue their voyage.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

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