Norwegian public broadcasting company NRK reports Smit Salvage has been hired to aid in the salvage of the Eemslift Hendrika, which is currently adrift off the Norwegian coast. In the meantime, a Norwegian Coast Guard vessel is on its way to the ship and will try to attach towing lines later today to try and stabilise the vessel.
The Coast Guard vessel Sortland is expected to arrive this afternoon. At present, the ship drifts in a southernly direction at a speed of 2-3 knots and will reach the coast in about a day and a half, while its capsizing is still deemed a possibility. At midnight it was listing by 45 to 50 degrees. Weather conditions are extreme with wave heights of about fifteen metres. However, the weather is expected to improve from later today onwards.
The hiring of Smit was revealed to NRK by Hans-Petter Mortensholm of the Norwegian Coast Guard. He said, however, that he has no information if it means that the company has sent a ship to the Eemslift Hendrika. A spokesperson for Amasus Shipping would not yet confirm the hiring of Smit Salvage.
Eemslift Hendrika
The Eemslift Hendrika sent out a distress signal on Monday morning 5 April. After the ship’s cargo shifted, water entered the hold causing it to list. Eight crew were evacuated by helicopter while the remaining four tried to stabilise the ship by ballasting. This proved unsuccessful and as the situation became worse, the four were also rescued by helicopter after having to jump into the sea.
Also read: [VIDEO] Amasus ship carrying project cargo adrift off Norway [UPDATE]
The Eemslift Hendrika was built in 2015, is 112 metres long and 17 metres wide. It was en route from Bremerhaven, Germany, to Kolvereid, Norway. On the video it can be seen the ship is carrying several smaller vessels on deck. According to Maritime Bulletin the boats on deck were the cargo that shifted causing the heavy list.
Picture: Video still from the YouTube video by Hovedredningssentralen Sør-Norge.
