1/2000J Ms ULSUND, Sinking with the Crew of 7 Persons, off Lista, Norway on 27.2.1998

ULSUND loaded 2,404 metric tons of aluminium in St. Petersburg, Russia in the period from 14 February to 17 February 1998. The ship sailed from St. Petersburg on 17 February 1998 at 1915 hrs, heading for Høyanger, Norway. There was ice in the innermost part of the Bay of Finland and the ship had to wait for about two and a half days for icebreaker assistance.

The ship arrived at Copenhagen in the morning of 25 February 1998 after being slightly delayed in the Baltic Sea due to bad weather. The captain was replaced in Copenhagen. The cargo and the excavator were checked and found to be in order and bunker oil, fresh water and provisions were brought on board. In the afternoon of 25 February 1998, the voyage to Høyanger continued. In the Skagerrak, the ship encountered SW/W winds, varying between near gale and gale, and heavy sea, 5 to 6 m. The ship’s speed was reduced to 3 to 4 knots. The master called the shipping company in Finland both on 26 February and on 27 February 1998 without giving any information about problems related to the seaworthiness of the ship.

On 27 February 1998 at 2125 hrs the ship transmitted the distress alert MAYDAY on VHF radio channel 16 from the position N 57-57.8 E 006-12.6. Farsund Radio answered the ship immediately and after roughly 70 seconds the captain told them that: a) the ship made water, b) its port bulwark and deck were submerged, c) it listed approx. 6 degrees (to port), d) they were trying to pump, e) they needed immediate assistance, f) there were 7 people on board.

It is assumed that the ship went down in the course of about 10 to 15 minutes, as no other vessel observed any clear radar echo in the indicated casualty position. The first vessel reached the indicated casualty position about one hour later, at which time there was only wreckage left. The whole crew of seven lost their lives.

The marine casualty report is a joint Norwegian/Finnish report prepared by the Maritime Investigator in Oslo and Accident Investigation Board Finland, Helsinki.

1/2000J Report (pdf, 1.18 Mt)