“AQS Tor” has received some damage after falling off the cargo vessel “Eemslift Hendrika” in the storm in the Norwegian Sea. But overall, it seems that it has managed the rough seas.
“It looks surprisingly good, considering what the poor green boat has been through,” said incumbent skipper Svenn Magnus Steffensen of AQS in a press release.
Together with project manager Geir Bjørvik Johansen in Moen Marin, Steffensen was in Floro harbour, Western Norway, on Thursday morning to inspect the damage to “AQS Tor”.
Starboard side dented
The most visible damage is the structural damage on the starboard side. These damages probably occurred when the boat was thrown off the deck and hit a boom.
At the back on the port side, there are some dents, and the crane foundation on the starboard side got a banged. There is a hole in the deck also. Some seawater has entered the hydraulic compartment, but no more than 8-10 centimeters on the door.
“We have not yet had the boat examined under the waterline. We’ll get that done Friday morning. Then divers come to check the boat,” Steffensen said.
Thought the boat had sunk
He has followed the construction of “AQS Tor” as a member of the project group and has long known that he will captain on as one of two skippers. Therefore, it was something special to see that the freighter had an impact and that “AQS Tor” fell off.
“I was sure that the boat had gone down when I saw that it was missing on the freighter. It took about half an hour to an hour before I could see pictures of it floating. I didn’t believe what I saw,” said Svenn Magnus Steffensen.
“If there is no damage under the waterline, it’s amazing how it’s managed,” he said.
The skipper, who was ready to captain the boat this week, but now the plans are changing. The boat must now be carefully examined, repaired and through new tests and approvals before it can be put into operation.
CEO Ove Løfsnæs said that further plans for the boat will be shared in cooperation between Moen, Gjensidige and AQS, on the basis of status on board and formal matters such as insurance.
“We are pleased that the condition on board is good,” says Løfsnæs, who praises Stadt Sjøtransport, Captain Roman Antons and his crew on the tug boat “Stadt Sløvåg” for their efforts to salvage “AQS Tor”.
“They have done a fantastic job and will have a big thank you for an excellent operation on the Stadthavet,” concluded Løfsnæs.
Relieved project manager
Project manager Geir Bjørvik Johansen in Moen Marin says that – the circumstances taken into account – it is a great relief to see that the boat in the dock and in such a condition.
“The boat has of course been subjected to great powers as it has been ‘launched” in a very special way and embarked on a sea test far beyond normal. Given the limited damage we have verified during the day and the good sea properties the boat possesses, I am confident that the company will have a robust vessel that will serve them well for several years to come,” added Johansen.
He will also commend the efforts and expertise that have been exercised by the rescue service and salvage crews in the very dramatic situation outside Stadtlandet, Western Norway.
“Thank you to everyone involved and not least AQS who have been optimistic and positive throughout the process,” said Geir Bjørvik Johansen.
