Skjongholm

Two fishermen were rescued by the 'Skjongholm' with skipper Runar-Andre Nilsen at Rystraumen off Tromsø without serious injuries on April 8, 2020, after their 30-ft-boat had sunk. One of them was heavily exhausted and in danger of drowning. He needed help to float, so one fisherman of the 'Skjongholm' jumped into the sea. The ship had been heading south after three weeks of cod fishing on the Mallangs ground north of Senja, when they received a report on the distressed fishing boat and headd to the position. Also the ferry Harstad-Tromsø and an ambulance helicopter from Tromsø joined the search amids rough seas of two meters height, a stiff Southwester and snow fall reducing the visibility to 0,5 miles in the area of the Straum Fjord off Mjelde in Kvaløya. The castaways were recovered at 7.30 p.m. A Sea King SAR helicopter from Bodø which had also been mobilized could be stood down. After the men were found in the water, Kyrre Nilsen jumped over board, while Brother Runar-André stood at the helm. Under the current conditions, it was unwise to try to get the fishermen, who were wearing survival suits, on board due to the great danger that they could drift away during this attempt. The sea became more and more uneasy. The lifeboat 'Gideon' was 10-12 minutes away. Nilsen held the most hypothermic fisherman, while the other man was secured with a rope until the lifeboat pulled them on board. Nilsen had been in the sea for 30-40 minutes with the castaways. Meanwhile the skipper struggled to hold the 'Skjongholm' in the best possible position to give both the rescue boat and those in the sea shelter from waves and wind.. After the rescue mission was completed, the 'Skjongholm' proceeded to Trondelag. The rescued fishermen were taken to the University Hospital in Tromsø. Norwegian report with photos: https://www.nrk.no/vestland/rosar-fiskarar-for-_vanvittig-heltedad_-1.14978699

On Dec 4, 2017, the NSSR lifeboat "Halvdan Grieg" was called to assist the "Skjongholm" which had been disabled by ropes in the propulsion. Divers went down in the port of Maloy to remove the obstructions. On Dec 5 around 1 a.m. the ship sailed again. Photos: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQOHNtZXUAAjoOH.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQOHNstWsAAiudu.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQOHNswWAAAJF4I.jpg