Norwegian frigate takes on water after collision with oil tanker

KNM Helge Ingstad frigate hull damageThe crew of 137 are all evacuated from “KNM Helge Ingstad”  the Joint Rescue Coordination Center of Southern Norway informs. Eight of the crew members got minor injuries, but are all safe, the Norwegian Navy informed at a press-conference.

The Norwegian frigate is taking on lots of water, nearly capsizing, and was for long in danger of sinking.

The Aframax tanker “Sola TS”, is not in danger and no oil-spill is reported from the tanker. There are some 625,000 barrels of crude oil on board.

It was just after 4 am Norwegian time this morning the collision happened as the frigate was en route back to Haakonsvern naval base near Bergen after participating in the NATO exercise Trident Juncture. The exercise ended on November 7th.

Information about the cause of the collision is yet to be made public. Happening just outside Sture oil terminal, the accident raises a lot of questions. Here, the shipping is strictly controlled and oil tankers leaving the port are always followed by tugs and pilot.

A third vessel, a tug following the tanker, was near, but not directly involved in the collision.

Visit our Oil Spill Remediation Services page here.

Source: The Barents Observer

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