Yacht transporter abandoned following heavy list in Norwegian North Sea

A yacht transport vessel has been left abandoned in the North Sea off Norway after its onboard cargo shifted and caused it to list heavily and dangerously to one side, raising fears of a possible capsizing, on Monday, April 5.

The Dutch-flagged Eemslift Hendrika, which is owned by Monaco-registered Star Class Yacht Transport, was 60 nautical miles west of Ålesund when its crew sent out a distress call saying that their vessel had developed a heavy list to starboard.

Southern Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Hovedredningssentralen) received the distress call and despatched three helicopters and three vessels to the area to render assistance. All 12 of the crew were subsequently evacuated from the vessel, which was listing by as much as 30 degrees while the rescue operation was underway.

One crewmember suffered injuries from the incident and has since been brought to hospital.

Eemslift Hendrika had earlier departed Bremerhaven and was originally scheduled to arrive at Kolvereid in central Norway’s Trøndelag county.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration and the vessel’s owner have reportedly begun developing plans for its eventual salvage.