12 Jan 2007

A Greek-owned (Cypriot-registered) 180-metre cargo ship, called Server, ran aground and broke up off the west coast of Norway on Friday. The 25-members crew was rescued by helicopters, Norwegian rescue officials said. They are all safe and sound in Bergen and there were no injuries. The ship was on ballast but local authorities feared environmental damage from a possible spill of the vessels 650 tonnes of fuel. The ship called for help around CET 6:30 p.m. after running aground near the Hellesoy lighthouse off the coast of Hordaland county, northwest of Bergen. Four helicopters were sent, 2 of which were used in rescuing the crew. The crew were mainly Indonesian with Greek officers. The weather on the coast was "normal bad winter weather for Norway, with seven to eight metre waves," officials said.