On the afternoon of August 19, the 24 meter long, 150 gt  high-speed catamaran passenger ship Falkefjell (IMO: 9605346)  became disabled on Vargsundet north of Lille Lerresfjord, Norway. The Falkefjell was underway from Hammerfest to Alta with 10 passengers when the vessel struck a whale. Passengers reported they felt a thud before spotting the whale thrashing in the water. Witnesses stated seeing large amounts of blood in the water before the whale perished and sank below the surface.  There were no injuries on the Falkefjell, but the impact had damaged the passenger ship as the vessel had lost engine power and went adrift.

See video at dagbladet.no

Reports stated a service boat from a nearby fish farm, the 193 gt passenger ship Hornøy (IMO: 9768980) and the 13 meter long NSSR lifeboat Utvær (MMSI: 257959900) were to the aid of the disabled Falkefjell. The 10 passengers were transferred off to the Hornøy and proceeded to Hammerfest. The Utvær took the Falkefjell under tow and proceeded to Hammerfest. No details of the extent of damage caused by the incident, but no water ingress was reported.