HELSINKI (AP) – An unmanned Dutch cargo ship can capsize in heavy seas off the coast of Norway after the crew is evacuated following a distress call from the ship.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration said on Tuesday that they have sent a coastguard vessel to inspect the situation with the Eemslift Hendrika, which has no engine power on the Norwegian Sea, 130 kilometers (80 miles) from the city of Alesund.
Video of the scene showed how the Norwegian Rescue Coordination Center evacuated some of the ship’s 12 crew members with helicopters after they jumped into the sea. The ship sent an emergency call late on Monday.
Maritime authorities said their focus now was to find out how to stabilize the ship so that it wouldn’t sink while trying to keep the ship from crashing against the shore. Guard planes patrolled the area.
“We are optimistic, but at the same time there are 15 meter high waves and strong winds. Weather conditions are extreme and staff safety will always come first, ”Emergency Director Hannes-Petter Mortensholm of the Norwegian Coastal Administration told VG newspaper.
Norwegian public broadcaster NRK said the ship lost power in the main engine late Monday evening. If the ship sinks, the Norwegian authorities are concerned that diesel and fuel oil could leak from the tanks.
The Eemslift Hendrika, registered in the Netherlands, was built in 2015. The load was not immediately known.