Autumn is here and the first real autumn storm with hurricane force wind along the Norwegian coast is here.
This is causing delays, cancellations of calls and even some emergencies.
Here is some examples;
The cruise ship Sapphire Princess is making a scheduled call in Ålesund on her way from Southampton to Tromsøo today. Because of the forecasted gale her arrival was put forward from 0700 hrs. this morning to actually arriving 1830 hrs. yesterday to make sure she could safely berth before the weather picked up . (Luckily they have the power to do so)
PS> The floating dock being pushed against the wharf is waiting installation at Fiskerstrand Shipyard.
The second cruise ship that was supposed to be in Ålesund today, the Astoria, on her way from Alta to Stavanger, cancelled the call as she would have had problems berthing in the present conditions.
Here she is in a Norwegian fjord in better conditions:
Today’s Northbound ship in Hurtigruten, Richard With, is waiting on weather to get around the Stadt foreland at Måløy:
Maybe we can expect more complaining cruise passengers posting their horror stories on social media and reported in the press?
The Russian icebreaker Tor on her way from St.Petersburg to Sabretta got engine problems just off the coast and issued Mayday early this morning:
They have now restored some power and no longer in need of assistance, but the Emergency response tug Boa Heimdal is standing by with her, awaiting a break in the weather to escort her into Ålesund for repairs:
PS> I don’t think the Russians on the Tor will complain though.
UPDATE:
A not so clear video shot from a SAR helicopter that was sent to evacuate the 33 crew from the TOR. (Evacuation cancelled by the Master when they got some power restored):