Norwegian Authorities Investigating Collision of Three Ships
Residents of a Norwegian coastal town reported being awoken early Monday morning to a loud boom that turned out to have been a collision between three short sea vessels navigating in one of the coastal fjords on Norway’s west coast. The authorities are trying to sort out the circumstances of the unusual collision between the three ships, which left one taking on water and all three damaged.
The collision took place just after 01:30 a.m. October 5, near Alesund. Two of the vessels were sailing to the north through Valderhaugfjorden, and the third was sailing to the south. The police report poor visibility and darkness, but a video obtained by Norwegian broadcaster NRK appears to show normal nighttime conditions. The loud bang can clearly be heard as the vessels collide.
Media reports on Monday said that three crewmembers had been placed under suspicion of careless navigation. However, the authorities would only say that the investigation was still underway.
It is unclear from the reports which vessels collided first or how three vessels could have become involved in one collision. The reports said there were approximately 30 crewmembers between the three ships, and while the crews were uninjured, all three vessels have sustained significant damage.
The emergency call came into the rescue authority, which dispatched one of its boats. The Navy sent the frigate Fridtjof Nansen, and a rescue helicopter was seen overhead using its spotlight. Local emergency services from shore also responded, but no evacuations were required.
The Norwegian Safety Authority reported that two of the vessels, Bergfjord and Hav Frakt, have been detained and will require repairs before they are permitted to sail. The third vessel, a small tanker, Xanthia, sustained damage, but inspectors from DNV told the authorities the hull was sound and it was permitted to resume its trip to Finland, where it will undergo further inspections.
The Bergfjord, an 88-meter (289-foot) dry cargo ship registered in the Netherlands, sustained significant bow damage as seen in a photo published by Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The reports said the vessel was taking on water at the bow and was ordered to dock.
The cargo ship Hav Frakt, which was also 88 meters, is registered in the Faroe Islands. It also sustained damage and was ordered to dock.
Investigators told NRK that there was no indication of intoxication, but they administered a breathalyzer and other tests. They said electronic data was being reviewed and interviews were underway with the crews. The Accident Investigation Board said it was reviewing the information and would determine if a full investigation was warranted.
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Top image from 2022 by Niels Johannes (CC BY-SA 4.0)
