Captain says seafaring nation needs patrol vessel

Kringvarp Føroya reported that the Faroese pelagic vessel Gøtunes towed the Icelandic container ship Arnarfell over the weekend after it suffered engine damage about 72 nautical miles from Akrabyrgi.

Arngrím Hansen, captain of Gøtunes, said the tow went well but that the current arrangement was not adequate for the country.

“People are always ready to help one another, and the tow went well, but I do not think this is satisfactory for the nation,” Hansen said. “We call ourselves a fishing nation, a seafaring nation, and I certainly do not think this is satisfactory.”

Neither of the country’s patrol vessels is currently available. Brimil, which is used for inspections, is not expected to be ready until mid-October. It could take six months or more before Tjaldrið is again available for patrol and rescue duties.