The Hurtigruten ship MS Nordlys, struck by a dramatic fire in its engine room earlier this month, may be able to sail again as early as this winter. Inspections of the vessel are underway at the Fiskarstrand shipyard near Ålesund, where the vessel was saved from capsizing.
Initial examinations of the vessel indicate the damage wasn’t as bad as expected. “We hope that Nordlys can be back in service during the winter,” said Hurtigruten spokesman Ragnar Norum.
Norum said the vessel took in water because it was damaged by its own equipment that didn’t function when the ship’s electrical system broke down. Salvage crews from the Netherlands prevented the vessel from turning over on its side at the pier in Ålesund and the Nordlys was later towed to the yard.
Hurtigruten officials have also expressed their appreciation “to everyone who has contributed and shown compassion in connection with this accident.” The company also thanked “not least our guests (passengers) for their patience and understanding, and to the crew and the fire- and emergency workers for their bravery and professionalism.”
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