HELSINKI (AP) – An unmanned Dutch cargo ship could be in danger of capsizing on the high seas off the coast of Norway after its crew was evacuated following a distress call from the ship.
The Norwegian coastal administration said on Tuesday that it had sent a coastguard to inspect the situation with Eemslift Hendrika, which is afloat and has no engine power on the Norwegian Sea, 130 kilometers away from the town of Alesund.
Video from the scene showed how the Norwegian Rescue Coordination Center evacuated some of the ship’s 12 helicopter crew members after they jumped into the sea. The ship made a distress call late Monday.
Maritime authorities have said they are now focusing on finding out how to stabilize the ship so that it does not sink while trying to ensure the ship does not crash ashore. Surveillance planes patrolled the area.
“We are optimistic, but at the same time there are 15-meter high waves and strong winds. The weather conditions are extreme and the safety of the staff will always come first, “emergency director Hannes-Petter Mortensholm of the Norwegian Coastal Administration told VG.
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said the ship lost power with its main engine late Monday night. If the ship sinks, the Norwegian authorities are worried that diesel and fuel oil could spill from its tanks.
Registered in the Netherlands, Eemslift Hendrika was built in 2015. Its merchandise was not immediately known.