A Dutch cargo ship that was abandoned at sea during a storm off the coast of Norway this week has been attached to two large tugboats and is no longer at risk of running aground, reports Reuters.
For more information read our article [Watch] Cargo Ship With Crew in Danger of Capsizing
Fears of oil spill
The vessel badly listing after parts of its cargo shifted in the rough weather, had been adrift since Monday.
This led to fears of spilling some or all of the 350 tonnes of heavy oil and 50 tonnes of diesel in its tanks.
Salvage operations
The Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) on Wednesday evening lowered a crew onto the vessel from a helicopter as part of the salvage operation.
“Tow lines have now been established between the stricken vessel and the tugs. The risk of a grounding has been averted,” the NCA said in a statement.
She would likely have made landfall during the night if the salvage operation had failed, risking a spill, the NCA added.
Footage released by the Norwegian Rescue Coordination Centre on Tuesday showed some of the original crew members jumping into the sea before being rescued by helicopter. Others were hoisted directly from the deck.
Combat the spread of any oil spill
The Coastal Administration had invoked a government mandate to resume full operational command over the salvage operation, and that equipment had been mobilised along the coast to combat the spread of any oil spill.
It will now be towed to the port of Aalesund, the NCA said.
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Source: Reuters
