Malmo

When the patrol ship 'Andenes' of the Norwegian Coast Guard arrived at the 'Malmø' south in the Hinlopen Strait on Sep 4, the ship had managed to get out of the ice towards open waters. The vessel was escorted out of the area was now returning to Longyearbyen with its own engine, ETA Sep 6. Photos: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDpAOrMWwAAlb2J.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EDpAOrNXUAAissA.jpg

On Sep 3, 2019, a Norwegian rescue helicopter has evacuated 16 passengers who were aboard the 'Malmø', being trapped in the ice at Svalbard southwest of the Hinlopen Strait. Among the passengers was a film team to document climate change, and several private individuals with an interest in climate issues. They were taken to Longyearbyen and accomodated in local hotels. The ship had left Longyearbyen on Aug 31, but was caught in the ice on the Hinlopen Strait on Sep 2 and was drifted towards the shallows of Rønnbeckøyane where it was threatened to run aground. The ship's hull was reinforced, but the engine was not powerful enough to break out of the ice. The captain at 3 p.m. therefore decided to ask the authorities to evacuate the passengers while the crew of seven remained on board, hoping to free the ship from the ice again. The Norwegian authorities have sent the Coastguard ship "Andenes" to the position to assist if needed. It was expected to arrive in the morning of Sep 4, but due to poor visibility and snow showers reducing the visibility down to 200 meters, it had to slow down. The 'Malmø' was meanwhile able to get rid of the packed ice but was still caught in an area with much ice. It was expected to crack somewhat with the flood during the night hours, and the captain hoped to reach open water then with own engine. Reports with photos: https://svalbardposten.no/ms-malm-star-fast-i-isen/19.11381 https://www.tu.no/artikler/oppdagelsesturen-ble-mareritt-skipet-fast-i-isen-16-personer-evakuert/473119 https://www.nrk.no/troms/redningsaksjon-pa-svalbard-1.14687014