– The most extreme I've attended – NRK Hordaland – Local News, TV and Radio

"It is the most extreme operation I have ever participated in. The combination of darkness, reduced visibility, high waves and strong winds is the most worst combinations, said the commander of one of the Equinor preparation helicopters, Håkon Johan Skålsvik.

On Wednesday afternoon, the National Rescue Center (HRS) in southern Norway received a signal from a sailboat that was about 100 kilometers outside of Fedje.

Four hours later, both had to board before the boat disappeared into the waves.

– very dramatic

It was the supply ship "Stril Merkur", promoted for the first time during the accident from Wednesday to 21 hours. Then, the boat had followed the north wind for four hours with the engine.

Due to the high waves, the ship was able to assist both passengers on board. HRS sent a message to the Air Traffic Service, which contacted the Equinor rescue helicopter in the area.

Håkon Johan Skålsvik, who was the captain of the helicopter, describes the situation as extremely dramatic. He had to ask the two passengers to jump at sea.

"It was impossible to get people off the boat because of high waves and high winds, the solution was to lift the lifeguard into a position so close to the boat that we dared to walk. control of the situation, we told them to dive into the sea, says Skålsvik.

Sailors only had boots and vests to wear them when they were jumping.

– It was dramatic. They did not wear a survival suit. There was no result given to this event. To jump into the sea in such conditions … Fortunately, it went well this time, said Wednesday the head of rescue, Eirik Walle.

– Thousands of things could have gone wrong

The two people were raised by the sea a few minutes later. They were cold and saved, but otherwise, physically undamaged. Skålsvik says that there are a thousand things that could have gone wrong in this operation.

"The boat hit the mast and was out of control, so we could not put people as close to the boat as it could hurt the rescuer.

When people were caught in the helicopter, Skålsvik headed for Flesland. It was also demanding when the windshields were very strong.

"When we arrived, the two people were taken away by the ambulance staff and reported that they were happy to be recovered, but that they were obviously included after the accident. accident, "said Skålsvik.

Skålsvik describes them as being calm and done, and that there was no panic to follow. The boat disappeared for rescuers after the people were taken from the sea.

According to BT, the two people were on board two mountain men aged 72 and 43. They were returning from Turkey.

"I'm glad we have a solid boat, otherwise it could have been bad," said BT's 43-year-old captain.