A ship's thruster being carried as cargo has caused holes in the ballast tank inside. Photo: Norwegian Maritime Directorate.

On board the Eemslift Hendrika

The Norwegian Maritime Directorate has released photos taken on the rescued cargo vessel Eemslift Hendrika, which got into difficulties last week when cargo in its hold shifted in heavy seas.

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It was the second day of Easter that the Dutch ship – which was carrying three fish farming service vessels on deck and another below, sent out an emergency message that hold cargo had shifted and the ship was listing to starboard and in danger of capsizing.

Late in the evening of April 7, crews from Smith Salvage and Normand Drott managed to get a tow attached and tow the ship to Ålesund.

Flag state

“It is still too early to say anything about the cause of the accident,” said the Norwegian Maritime Directorate this morning.

“It is the flag state that will have the main responsibility for finding out what went wrong, but also as a port state, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate wants to get an overview of possible causes, extent of damage and risk assessments made in connection with sailing and securing cargo.”

The service vessels belonged to Moen Marin, part of aquaculture supplier Scale AQ.

The largest of the three vessels on deck, the AQS Tor, was washed off by waves but stayed afloat and was towed to port separately.