Dekksguten

For those interested in how investigations are conducted in the aftermath of incidents in Norway, you will find some information here. A short summary: 

- The AIBN will determine the cause of the incident

- The Police will launch a criminal investigation

- The NMA will determine which measures must be taken to put the vessel back in operation. 

34 minutes ago, Hanoj said:

I was under the impression from earlier comments that Norwegian Maritime Authority has jurisdiction. 

If you or anyone else can clarify, that would be appreciated.

The NMA, the AIBN and the police are all participating.  To my understanding the police have opened their own separate investgation, however this is routine in such cases and there is currently no suspicion of any criminal negligence. 

A former director of the NMA has come ouy questioning why the ship opted to sail this close to shore. According to him larger vessels are advised to sail "the outer lane". He left his position in 2008, so I don't know if his information is still accurate. 

1 minute ago, just_dont said:

I haven't heard any accounts of passengers eager to sue.


 

It is also highly unlikely that one would be looking at a huge payout. Large compensations are rarely awarded in Norwegian courts. 

5 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

You folks understand the Captain took that vessel into treacherous waters knowing he didn't have FULL engine power - one engine out for maintenance and he took 900 souls into treacherous waters not having his full compliment of power.  That is called arrogance.

 

Has this been confirmed anywhere? All I've seen is speculation. 

14 minutes ago, ABoatNerd said:

 

The missed port just before the incident, that will be investigated. The high wind situation reported by posters on this thread are most helpful. 

 

 

I'm sure it will be part of the investigation, as will every part of the voyage, but you have to consider the distance between the missed port of Bodø and Hustadvika. They were supposed to dock at Bodø on March 22nd, and going 20 knots that's approx a 24 hour voyage to Hustadvika (very gross approximation).  If they were indeed having mechanical problems, there were pleny of opportunities to dock south of Bodø. No experienced captain would attempt to cross the treacheous waters of Folda or Hustadvika knowing of mechanical issues. 

3 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

Why have the reports been saying 1300?

 

400 crew members

Helmet cam footage from one of the rescue squads. 

1 minute ago, Outerdog said:

 

Moored.

 

Thanks. English is not my first language, but I still shouldn't have messed that one up. 

Communications Director of The Norwegian Coastal Administration has come out supporting the decision of the Mater to go on with the cruise saying there was no reason a ship like the Sky wouldn't be able to handle te conditions. 

Obviously something went wrong, but I don't think the decision of Hurtigruten to not sail their much smaller ships would hold any bearing. 

5 minutes ago, kathy49 said:

i honestly don't know if this post is a joke but the last thing i would want is to stay on that ship one minute longer. There are hotels and I am certain they have the option to go there and they have arranged flights etc.

Molde is a small town, there won't be hotel rooms for everyone, so a lot of them would have to go to nearby Ålesund which would include a ferry. I might elect to stay onboard the anchored Sky if I was there. 

Norwegian TV2 just showed live images of a stretcher being carried onboard, so likely at least one injured on the vessel. 

3 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

There are some important differences in examples you cite.

To see Antarctica you MUST sail there - that’s the only way to see it. There are no land trips to Antarctica. In addition, you do it in their summer. Ditto for Greenland & Iceland.

To see Northern Lights you do NOT have to sail to Norway in February/March - you can see them from land in many places in N. America, Iceland and Scandinavia.

It's a spectacular voyage even in rough weather. I haven't been on this particular cruise, but I have sailed greater parts of the Norwegian coast at winter time, and I would recommend it to anyone.  

4 minutes ago, Outerdog said:

 

I'm pretty sure some super-smart people made sure the ship didn't sail without sufficient lifeboat capacity for all souls onboard. Ya know what I'm saying?

She wouldn't pass inspection or be allowed to sail the Norwegian coast (or anywhere for that matter) if she wasn't outfitted with enough lifeboats. 

Were kind of big on regulations. 

9 minutes ago, Lottie A said:

Seems like they have held Sky up to allow the small Fjord ferry in first. 

I think this is one time when she should have had priority! 

I can tell you with near 100 percent certainty that they would not delay the rescue simply to allow for ferry traffic. 

Simply wonderful watching  people waiving from the balconies 

4 minutes ago, matadams4u said:

This seems to show how precarious the situation was or is

 

Honestly, pulling that off with only one engine in those conditions is some excellent seamanship. 

5 minutes ago, just_dont said:

Was it able to lay anchor, or did it run aground?
Can't imagine they'd abandon it adrift.

Freighter is anchored according to the latest reports. 

Edit: messed up the quote. 

1 minute ago, OCruisers said:

 

Happy they were rescued ....  

All nine rescued now. 

1 minute ago, goodtobequeen said:

Received another text, "We are now underway. I think we will be evacuated by helicopter before we reach port."

 

Why would they still be evacuating if they have engines working again?

They may not be confident they can keep all engines running? She's doing 2-3 knots atm, so she won't reach Molde for a long time . 

As for the freighter. Five went in the water and have been evacuated by chopper. Four remain onboard the vessel. 

2 minutes ago, matadams4u said:

A couple notes from my Twitter news feed -  the entire Red Cross auxiliary from two town - 65 people have been activated at welcome centers.  Also the ship was in the worst part of the bomb cyclone.  

The Norwegian Home Guard (military reserve) has also been activated and are assisting.

For those interested, your best bet for weather updates would be here

Oslo based newspaper aftenposten (aftenposten.no) often offer English language coverage of events with potential international readership. There's nothing yet afaict, but I would not be surprised to find it there soon.

Reports are that the rescue is delayed by passengers being afraid of the evacuation process (which is understandable, I suppose).