Denmark to provide defence vessel for Faroese waters

At least one Danish defence vessel will operate in Faroese waters over the coming months, until either the patrol vessel Brimil or Tjaldrið is repaired, Kringvarp Føroya reports. The agreement was reached by Bárður á Steig Nielsen, the Faroese minister for foreign and fisheries affairs, and Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus.

Brimil is undergoing long-term maintenance and is not expected to be ready until mid-October. Tjaldrið recently suffered an engine failure, and spare parts for the vessel are currently unavailable.

Several Faroese ships and boats have needed assistance over the past week, but no patrol vessel has been available to respond. Other boats, along with Rescue Lív, Tjaldrið’s workboat, Rescue Ziska and Rescue Jens, have provided assistance instead.

On Friday, the vessel Polarhav had to tow Stjørnan ashore after Stjørnan suffered an engine failure in northern waters.

Nielsen said he was dissatisfied with the situation but welcomed the agreement with Denmark to keep a defence vessel in Faroese waters until Brimil or Tjaldrið is back in service.