Dramatic risk of rescue and disaster of a freighter drifting in Norway

OSLO.- One dutch cargo ship, with the broken engine and its crew evacuated in dramatic circumstances, derivative Tuesday off Norway, with risk of generating an environmental disaster, reported the maritime authorities.

The authorities have indicated that the priority now is to stabilize the ship to prevent it from sinking or crashing against the shore. Planes and helicopters flew over the area to monitor the situation. “We are optimistic, but at the same time there are 15-meter waves and strong winds. The weather conditions are extreme, ”Norwegian Coastal Administration Emergency Director Hannes-Petter Mortensholm told VG newspaper.

the “Eemslift Hendrika”, who suffered a steep slop after a storm displaced part of his cargo, he launched a distress call Monday part-time. The 12 crew members were evacuated by the Norwegian rescue services in two different operations: the first eight were rescued by helicopter from the freighter’s deck, and the other four had to jump into the water. One of them was injured.

In some images released by the Norwegian emergency services, an individual wearing an orange life jacket is thrown from the stern of the ship in the midst of rough seas. The “Eemslift Hendrika”, with a damaged engine, continued to drift towards the Norwegian coast.

Tuesday morning It was located about 130 kilometers northwest of the port city of Ålesund. Some of the load fell into the water, which helped reduce its tilt, which is now estimated to be 30 degrees, after oscillating between 40 and 50. “The situation seems more stable, but there is still a risk of tipping, ”he told AFP a head of the Norwegian coastal administration (Kystverket), Hans-Petter Mortensholm.

Authorities fear that a possible shipwreck will cause an oil leak, since the freighter carries 350,000 liters of fuel oil, 75,000 diesel and 10,000 lubricating oil.

AFP and AP agencies

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