Havila Voyages’ Havila Polaris faced a mechanical issue causing evacuation.
- Aboard the vessel, 397 passengers met with overheating in Stranda.
- No fire erupted, but significant overheating caused precautionary measures.
- The ship managed to dock under its own power; no passenger injuries reported.
- Temporary permission was granted to return to Ålesund safely.
Havila Polaris, a vessel operated by Havila Voyages, encountered a significant mechanical issue while navigating near Stranda on its northbound journey into the Geirangerfjord. Around 1 p.m., an overheating incident was reported specifically affecting the port side propulsion system. This prompted immediate safety protocols and the evacuation of all 397 passengers, alongside 68 crew members, to ensure their safety.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, the ship remained uncontested by fire. However, the overheating was severe enough to activate the ship’s cooling systems and foam spraying mechanisms in the affected areas. This preemptive action undoubtedly mitigated the potential for more extensive damage, enabling the vessel to dock at Stranda without external assistance.
Following the successful docking, all passengers were evacuated as a standard safety procedure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers. However, two crew members received medical evaluations on land after suspecting smoke inhalation, suggesting the crew’s exposure to hazardous conditions during the incident.
Approximately two hours subsequent to the incident, Havila Polaris was granted temporary sailing clearance by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and the Norwegian Maritime Authority. This allowed the vessel to commence a return trip to Ålesund, docking at Storneskaia safely. In light of the event, Bent Martini, the CEO, stressed their uncompromising commitment to safety and commended the crew for their adept handling of the crisis, ensuring no significant harm befell the ship.
Passengers disembarked in Ålesund, where they could remain aboard pending a comprehensive assessment of any damage incurred. The company aims to provide further updates concerning future operations once the damage evaluation and collaboration with suppliers have been fully realised. Previously in the year, Havila had experienced another challenge when an unforeseen malfunction onboard Havila Pollux required a sailing cancellation, reflecting ongoing mechanical diligence.
The Havila Polaris incident underscores the dedication to passenger safety and operational resilience during unexpected challenges.
