Norway - Shipwreck Log

On October 22, the 70 meter long, 2772 gt fishing vessel Merike (IMO: 9227534) ran aground near Solstrand, Norway. The crew alerted authorities which dispatched the 35 meter long, 475 gt tug Borg Parat (IMO: 9067269) to the scene. The tug was quickly able to free the trawler within 20 minutes. The vessels proceeded to a quay at Solstrand where it will be inspected for damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The cause of the grounding was not reported.

Reports state the Merike was able to leave port and continued on its voyage into the Barents Sea. The Merike was built in 2002 and currently sailing under the Estonia flag.

Duplo

October 14, 2024 Paul Hancock

On October 13, the workboat Duplo sunk in Sortlandssundet south of Bremnes, Norway. Reports state the workboat had started taking on water and the one person on board requested assistance. A nearby fishing boat was able to safely rescue the sole crew person before the Duplo capsized and sank. No reports of injuries.

Authorities dispatched the coast guard vessel Heimdal to the scene, but it arrived after the Duplo had sunk. Additional vessels arrived to remove wreckage floating on the surface. Reports state there was a light sheen of oil visible on the water where the vessel sank.

The direct cause of the sinking was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Havfjord

October 11, 2024 Paul Hancock

On the evening of September 27, the 36 meter long, 499 gt fishing vessel Havfjord (IMO: 9897860) caught fire in the North Sea near Bergen, Norway. Authorities received a distress call that the vessel was ablaze and in danger. The vessel reported the five person crew on board were unable to extinguish the blaze and were abandoning ship into the vessel’s life raft. Helicopters from the nearby oil platforms along with patrol vessels launched a search and rescue for the crew. Within an hour, a helicopter found the five crew and was able to lift them to safety. Two crew had sustained smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital for treatment.

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Multiple vessels found the burning Havfjord still afloat. Attempts to extinguish the blaze were unsuccessful as the fire consumed the superstructure. Reports state the fire was finally extinguished but flared up again the next day. The owner of the Havfjord states the vessel is a total loss. The Havfjord was built in 2022 at Karstensen Shipyard.