Bollard breaks, sending Vilhelm adrift during storm

Samherji’s pelagic vessel Vilhelm Þorsteinsson EA-11 broke loose from its berth at Krossanes in Akureyri during a storm, mbl.is reports.

A bollard on the quay, where the ship’s mooring lines were attached, appears to have broken off, causing most, but not all, of the lines to snap, Samherji chief executive Baldvin Þorsteinsson told mbl.is. He said it was fortunate that the lines at the vessel’s bow held.

The ship drifted away from the berth, but crew members were brought aboard and started its engines, regaining control. The vessel is now heading to Oddeyrarbryggja pier. A maritime tracking app indicated that the tug Seifur went to assist.

No damage to the ship was visible at the time, Þorsteinsson said. It will be inspected more thoroughly when the weather eases.