Six crew evacuate into freezing waters in survival suits.
The hybrid workboat AQS Saga, operated by Norwegian aquaculture service company AQS, ran aground during a fierce winter storm in Kvænangen, Nord-Troms, on December 30, 2024.
The six-person crew evacuated into the frigid waters before swimming to shore in extreme conditions.
At 15:49 on December 30, the AQS Saga issued a “mayday” after suffering engine failure while conducting maintenance work at Mowi’s Kviteberg site. Despite efforts to assist, adverse weather—including heavy snow and wind gusts of up to 19 meters per second—prevented rescue helicopters from Tromsø and Banak from reaching the scene, according to local newspaper Nordlys.
#Redningsskøyta «Gjert Wilhelmsen» er på vei for å bistå et fartøy som har gått på grunn ved #Kvænangen. Det er kraftig værforhold i området. pic.twitter.com/VO6nYB2IcI
— Redningsselskapet (@NSSR) December 30, 2024
The crew donned survival suits and entered the water, managing to reach the shore approximately 40 meters away through rough seas. Ambulance personnel attended to the crew upon arrival, with no physical injuries reported. “The crew acted with exemplary composure under very challenging circumstances,” said rescue leader Erlend Sæterbø Hassel to Nordlys.
Mowi’s workboat Laksen was standing-by to assist, but the AQS Saga crew ultimately opted for self-evacuation due to deteriorating conditions.
The newly launched AQS Saga, delivered to AQS earlier in 2024, was later towed to Skjervøy for inspection. Initial assessments revealed damage to the hull around the bottom tanks, with further evaluations ongoing.
In a press release, AQS CEO Pål Anders Lauvsnes emphasized the company’s focus on safety and environmental protection. “Our immediate priority was the safety and health of the crew,” Lauvsnes stated, adding that no oil or chemical spills had been observed. The company is collaborating with its supplier, Moen Marin, to determine the cause of the incident.
