Text and photo from Norwegian Coastal Administration
Norwegian coast guard said that there is still a risk that the ship may capsize and pose an environmental hazard.The ship is still drifting, and is located 40-50 nautical miles west of Alesund. KV Sortland is still on site, and they are the Coastal Administration's eyes and ears. There is 15-18 meters of sea, and 18-20 m/s wind from the north. This makes it impossible for the Coast Guard to do anything other than observe.The boat that was placed in the middle of the deck has broke loose, and is a few nautical miles from the cargo ship. This is believed to have had a positive effect on the stability of the Eemslift Hendrika, and may help to avoid capsizing.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is in close contact with the shipping company in the Netherlands, and has regular meetings with them. NCA has assisted in finding resources in Norway, and the shipping company has engaged two tugboats, which will depart from Bergen and Kristiansund tonight. These will be at the ship at 3-4 o'clock tomorrow morning (Wednesday). If weather and wind allow it, personnel will be transported on board the Eemslift Hendrika to have a tow attached. The ship is then scheduled to be towed ashore.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration is following the situation closely, and is mapping resources for a possible helicopter lift of crew to the ship. Furthermore, the Norwegian Coastal Administration maps resources, both vessels and trained people for a possible oil spill response operation if the vessel should hit land and ground. At the moment, it is just over a day until that can occur, but it is likely that a tow will be connected before that. In that case, the Norwegian Coastal Administration will escort the tow with KV Sortland, and put its own pilots on board the tugs whenever possible.
