Faroese tugboat runs aground near Sørvágur

A tugboat owned by the Faroese shipyard Mest ran aground on the skerry Skerhólmur in Sørvágsfjørður late Wednesday evening, prompting a rescue operation, reports Faroese broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya.

The vessel, named Pressarin, issued a distress call around 11:30 PM. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) attempted contact but received no response, as the two crew members were occupied trying to keep the leaking boat afloat.

Local police alerted MRCC, which dispatched a helicopter from Atlantic Airways to the scene. The Sørvágur rescue society’s smaller vessel, Rescue Ivan, and the fishing boat Tvørfelli also assisted. A rescue team member with two pumps was placed aboard Pressarin to prevent sinking while the tug was towed to Sørvágur harbour.

The boat was brought ashore Thursday morning. The rescue vessel Rescue Sverri was not operational at the time.