The Esvagt Njord, an SOV ship that services the Equinor
operations in the Great Yarmouth area off the English east coast, was on
regular service when she heard a distress call from a fishing vessel. The fast
action of the crew aboard the SOV, assisted by some of the workers they were
transporting for their customers out to the fields, rescued seven injured
fishermen.
Esvagt reports that the vessel was operating close to the
Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm on December 22 when it heard a fishing vessel nearby
calling for help. The captain of the Esvagt Njord responded to the message, and
when he called the ship on the radio, he was told that the fishing boat was
taking on water.
"The fishing vessel had not called Mayday, but we
thought there was a need for help close by,” said Brian Kristiansen. “That is
why we sent our Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) in the direction of the ship to be on
standby and ready to assist.”
When the Esvagt Njord’s rescue boat located the fishing
vessel, the captain said it was clear that a serious accident had taken place.
The crew believed that there had been several explosions on board, and all
seven fishermen needed help. Several were seriously injured.
"When the FRB contacted us and told us that the
situation was serious, Equinor's medic happened to be standing on the bridge,”
said Kristiansen. “He could hear over the radio that one of the injured was
screaming in pain. Therefore, the medic immediately offered to assist us in
providing first aid.” At the same time, Equinor, Certex, and Siemens Gamesa, which
also has people on board the Esvagt Njord, also offered to assist.
The Esvagt Njord sent its larger Safe Transfer Boat (STB7)
to the scene to help evacuate the fishing boat while the crew aboard the SOV
prepared to receive the injured.
"All seven fishermen were seriously injured.
Unfortunately, there were several fractures, tears, and wounds - there was not
one of them that did not need help, so it was really good to be able to upgrade
our preparedness with the support from the others on board,” said Kristiansen.
When the full extent of the injuries became clear, the SOV
also raided for assistance from HM Coast Guard. Three people rescued from the
fishing boat were so badly injured that the coast guard decided to evacuate
them by helicopter.
ESVAGT’s Deputy CEO Kristian Ole Jakobsen hailed the efforts
of the crew and said they were proud to be a crucial difference and ensure a
happy outcome in a very difficult situation at sea. Since 1981, ESVAGT reports
that it has rescued 148 people from life-threatening situations at sea.