The Norwegian Coastal Authority is monitoring the situation with the abandon Dutch heavy-lift vessel adrift in a storm off the coast of Norway.
Norway warns that the ship is in danger of capsizing and causing an environmental hazard. Namely, the Eemslift Hendrika is caugtt in a storm with gale force winds with sustained speeds above 40 mph and seas running at 15 to 18 meters.
The vessel is currently drifting towards shore, but the authorities believe that the weather will hold it offshore.
In addition, on April 5, the high seas caused some of the cargo aboard the vessel to shift. This made the captain issue a distress call and the Norwegian authorities air lifted the majority of the crew to safety while the captain and three crew members remained aboard attempting to manage the situation.
The ship’s owners have been cooperating with the Norwegian Coastal Authority and have hired Smit to salvage the vessel.
What is more, Boskalis has deployed two tugboats, which will depart from Bergen and Kristiansund, Norway tonight. They are expected to reach the abandon vessel on April 7, and if weather and wind conditions allow a crew will board the ship and attempt to attach a towline.
As for the Norwegian Coast Guard, it also has a vessel monitoring the situation, and they plan to escort the tow to shore.
They are also ready to provide assistance and respond if an oil spill takes place.
