The Hordagut pictured during sea trials. Photo: FMV.

Shipyard worker dies after wellboat fire

A worker has died after being injured a fire in a wellboat being built in a Norwegian shipyard.

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The fire occurred yesterday aboard the Hordagut, which is in the final stages of completion at Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted (Fitjar Mechanical Workshop).

The worker, from Poland, was transported to Haukeland University Hospital with burns. This morning, the newspaper Sunnhordland reported that the person had died. 

Forensic investigations

“We confirm that one person has died as a result of the incident. We do not want to say anything more at this time,” Fitjar’s chief financial officer Hrafn Throsteinsson told the paper. 

Relatives of the deceased have been notified. 

Police are investigating the fire, in which three other workers were treated after inhaling smoke. According to the police, forensic investigations will be carried out tomorrow.

Hordalaks

Newly-formed shipping company Hordalaks AS has contracted the wellboat, which has a cargo volume of 4,700m³ and was designed jointly by Heimli and Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted (FMV).

Five fish farming companies in Vestland county have established Hordalaks AS. Blom Fiskeoppdrett and Kobbevik og Furuholmen Oppdrett AS, which is a subsidiary of Brødrene Birkeland fishing boat company, each own a third. The rest of the ownership is divided between Fremskridt laks AS, Engesund Fiskeoppdrett AS and Fylkesnes Fisk AS.

Fish Farming Expert’s Norwegian sister site, Kyst.no, has been in contact with several of the owners behind the new vessel, who do not wish to comment on the matter.