Dutch Drifting Cargo Ship Taken in Tow Off Norway's Coast, Reports Say

MURMANSK (Sputnik) - A Dutch-flagged cargo ship named "Eemslift Hendrika" which has been adrift in the North Sea for several days without the crew was taken in tow and is expected to arrive in the Alesund municipality in western Norway on Thursday, the NRK broadcaster reported.

According to the media outlet, the rescue services had to act promptly on Wednesday evening to prevent a spill of oil products if the vessel was thrown on land. Nonetheless, the situation was taken under control.

The ship, carrying some 350 tonnes of oil and 50 tonnes of diesel, transmitted a distress call on Monday.

GOOD NEWS: A tow line has just been fixed to stricken yacht transporter #EemsliftHendrika 👇

For several days she drifted towards Norway's rocky coast as her cargo of yachts were pulled into the seas.

Vid: @Kystverket from a few hrs ago
h/t @ebjorshol https://t.co/KyzIZZ1pRq pic.twitter.com/EE2cQyucLj

— John Scott-Railton (@jsrailton) April 7, 2021

The crew was soon evacuated by helicopter, but the vessel continued to drift with a high risk of capsizing and causing an oil spill. The emergency response teams were unable to conduct a rescue operation for several days due to unfavourable weather conditions.