Hrossey ferry accidents and incidents

03 January 2015Boat Rescue

On January 3, 2015, the cruiseferry assisted a major search and rescue operation launched after the general cargo ship Cemfjord (1984-built, IMO 8403569) overturned and eventually sunk. The 83-meter long vessel was en-route from Aalborg (Denmark) to Runcorn (Cheshire, England), carrying cement and with 8 crew (1 Filipino, 7 Poles). The bodies were never found.

Being en-route from Shetland to Aberdeen, MV Hrossey was the first ship that noted Cemfjord's upturned hull in the Pentland Firth Strait, approx 10 m (16 km)  east of Pentland Skerries islands. The operation was conducted by MCA (UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and coordinated by Shetland Coastguard. In the evening of January 3rd, the search was called off (for the night) and resumed on January 4th. In the search participated the ferry Hrossey, 4 lifeboats (dispatched from Scrabster, Stromness, Longhope, Wick), 2 RAF rescue helicopters, a Shetland coastguard aircraft and the Royal Navy fregate HMS Somerset.

The cargo carrier was last sighted at ~1 pm on January 2nd. Cemfjord didn;t issue a distress call. MV Hrossey's crew spotted and reported the accident at ~2:30 pm on January 3rd. The ferry searched for ~2,5 hours until the lifeboats arrived. By mid-afternoon (January 4th), Cemfjord sank entirely. The wreck was found lying on the seabed at depth ~82 m (270 ft), and approx 19 km (12 mi) east of Muckle Skerry Island (Pentland Skerries). The following accident investigation (by MAIB / UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch) concluded that Cemfjord "capsized in extraordinarily violent sea conditions caused by gale-force winds and a strong, opposing tidal stream".

22 October 2009Crew / Passenger Injuries and Overboards

On October 22, 2009, the ship experienced severe weather while en-route from Aberdeen to Lerwick. The strong winds and high waves caused a severe tilting of the liner that resulted in 4 passengers sustaining minor injuries. Of the 4 injured, one was sitting in the Bar Lounge, while the other three were asleep (and fell from their beds). They were all checked at the ship's Infirmary, but hospitalization was not required.

The cruiseferry was navigating between Mainland Shetland and Orkney (near Fair Isle) when the sudden heavy roll to portside occurred. Besides the injured passengers, several vehicles (parked on Car Deck 3) sustained minor damages.