What Crew Members Say About Skjongholm

On April 8, 2020, in a dramatic rescue operation, the crew of the fishing vessel 'Skjongholm' successfully saved two fishermen whose 30-foot boat had capsized at Rystraumen near Tromsø. Skipper Runar-Andre Nilsen and his crew responded swiftly to a distress call after the fishermen found themselves in perilous waters. One fisherman was particularly exhausted and on the verge of drowning, prompting a crew member from the 'Skjongholm' to plunge into the icy sea to offer assistance. The 'Skjongholm' was returning south after a three-week fishing trip in the Mallangs ground, situated north of Senja, when they learned of the fishermen's plight. The rescue operation was further supported by the ferry Harstad-Tromsø and an ambulance helicopter from Tromsø, all coordinating their efforts amid challenging conditions—including two-meter waves and snow, which reduced visibility to just half a mile within the Straum Fjord area off Mjelde in Kvaløya. The brave fisherman in the water was located at around 7:30 p.m. A Sea King SAR helicopter from Bodø, initially mobilized for the rescue, was ultimately able to stand down as conditions proved too treacherous for aerial recovery. As the crew member entered the waters to aid the stranded men, he carefully maintained his hold on the more hypothermic fisherman while securing the other with a rope—waiting for a lifeboat named 'Gideon,' which was only 10-12 minutes away. During this ordeal, the skipper, Runar-Andre Nilsen, expertly navigated the 'Skjongholm' to provide optimal shelter against the adverse waves and wind. After the fishermen were brought aboard by the lifeboat, the 'Skjongholm' continued its journey to Trøndelag, while the two rescued individuals were transported to the University Hospital in Tromsø for treatment. This incident highlights the dedication and bravery of maritime crews in perilous situations, demonstrating the critical importance of seamanship and rescue operations in Norway's challenging maritime environments.

On December 4, 2017, the NSSR lifeboat 'Halvdan Grieg' was dispatched to aid the 'Skjongholm,' which found itself incapacitated due to ropes entangled in its propulsion system. Divers were deployed at the port of Maloy to meticulously extract the obstructions. By 1 a.m. on December 5, the vessel was successfully freed and resumed its voyage. For visual highlights of the operation, view the following photos: [Photo 1](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQOHNtZXUAAjoOH.jpg), [Photo 2](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQOHNstWsAAiudu.jpg), [Photo 3](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQOHNswWAAAJF4I.jpg).