No rescue vessel available as Polarhav tows Stjørnan home

Fishing vessel Stjørnan was towed to Klaksvík by its pair trawler Polarhav after suffering an engine-related breakdown, Kringvarp Føroya reported. No rescue vessel was available to assist.

The vessels were fishing north of the Faroe Islands when an unusual noise suddenly came from Stjørnan’s gearbox. The crew contacted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, but was told that the pair trawlers would have to manage on their own because no rescue vessel was available.

Polarhav then took Stjørnan in tow. The tow lasted about 12 hours.

“Fortunately, the weather was good. If the sea had been rougher, the situation would have been worse,” said Olivar Krosstig, captain of Stjørnan.

The gearbox was inspected on Thursday and again on Friday. The plan was for Stjørnan and Polarhav to begin a new fishing trip on Friday evening.