Stricken barge carrier Tide Carrier that dragged anchor on Wednesday south of Bergen, Norway has been towed to safety on Thursday morning.
Namely, the 263-meter vessel was drifting toward the coast and was in danger of going aground following an engine failure while sailing off Feistein Fyr.
Twenty crew members were on board the ship when the incident occurred, with one sailor reporting minor leg injury.
The Norwegian Rescue Coordination Centre (Hovedredningssentralen) launched a rescue mission in which five non-essential personnel were evacuated from the ship while the rest helped prepare the ship for towing.
The operation was hampered by weather conditions as high waves and strong winds with rain rocked the ship relentlessly.
However, the towing line was attached successfully, and the stricken ship was pulled free from the site on Thursday morning by BB Server, with the assistance from coast guard patrol vessels KV Bergen, KV Sortland and KV Tor.
The following video shows details of the rescue operation and preparation of the ship for towing:
As disclosed, the ship was taken to Tysvær.
Media reports citing information from Norwegian Port Authority indicate that prior to the incident the ship had failed inspection on several points rendering the ship unfit for sailing before repairs were made. It is yet to be determined by inspectors whether the repairs were carried out before the ship headed out to sea.
World Maritime News Staff
Video courtesy: Hovedredningssentralen; Image Courtesy: Kystvakten