Discover the Hjorungavag: Ratings & Maritime News

On January 10 at 6 p.m., the ferry 'Bjørnefjord' made its triumphant return to the Høgsfjord connection following extensive repairs. With its reinstatement, regular service between Lauvvik and Oanes has resumed, restoring full capacity and normal timetables for passengers. The temporary substitute ferry, 'Utne', which accommodates 60 fewer vehicles, faced limitations as it was unable to operate a continuous 24-hour schedule. Consequently, a reduced itinerary was implemented over the past week, resulting in fewer departures than usual. The successful repairs mark a significant milestone in returning maritime services to their optimal state.

On January 3, 2020, at precisely 10:10 PM, the ferry 'Bjørnefjord' encountered a mishap during one of its initial journeys across the Høgsfjord, colliding with the berth at Lauvvik. This incident resulted in damage to the ferry, necessitating repairs, while the adjacent quay corner experienced minor impacts as well. At the time of the incident, strong winds were reported in the area, possibly contributing to the accident. Following the allision, a thorough inspection of the 'Bjørnefjord' commenced to assess the extent of the damage and estimate the repair duration. Repair work in Stavanger is anticipated to take up to a week. To ensure continued service for passengers, the ferry 'Utne' was deployed as a temporary replacement at 4:30 PM on January 4. However, it is important to note that the 'Utne' has a smaller capacity, accommodating only 40 passengers compared to the 'Bjørnefjord,' which can carry just over 100 passengers along with their vehicles.

On the night of December 31, 2018, the ferry 'Bjørnefjord' encountered significant engine trouble, prompting it to anchor south of Fedje. The vessel departed from Sunde at 8:15 p.m. but quickly found itself in distress due to adverse weather conditions. Emergency response was initiated on January 1, 2019, as the tug 'BB Worker' (IMO: 9360051) was dispatched from Bergen at 10 a.m. to assist in maintaining the ferry's position at coordinates 60° 44.87' N 004° 48.25' E. A search and rescue helicopter was also placed on standby at Fedje, ready to support the operation. After a delay prompted by rough winds, the 'Bjørnefjord' was successfully towed to a berth at Hylkje near Bergen, arriving at 9:40 a.m. on January 2, once conditions had improved sufficiently for safe navigation.