Passengers Stranded On Board Ferry in Breiðafjörður: Video
Twenty passengers and a crew of eight are stranded on the passenger ferry Baldur in Breiðafjörður bay, West Iceland, mbl.is reports. The ferry lost power in the middle of the bay yesterday afternoon, while sailing from Brjánslækur, the West Fjords, toward the town Stykkishólmur, on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The research vessel Árni Friðriksson took Baldur in tow. Photo/The Icelandic Coast Guard
Mbl.is reported at 7 am that the tugboat Fönix had reached the ferry and that the plan was to tow Baldur to harbor once it got light outside.
A yellow weather alert was in effect in the area yesterday when one of two turbines failed. The inclement weather made conditions considerably worse. The crew is well trained, and no one is in danger.
The research vessel Árni Friðriksson took Baldur in tow toward Stykkishólmur last night. A tugboat is needed for the last stretch to the harbor, since the research vessel is too large for that task.
Árni Friðriksson and the Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter, seen from Baldur. Photo/Contributed
Care has been taken to keep the passengers warm on board the ferry, and food has been served.
In the video above, you can see what conditions were like yesterday on Breiðafjörður bay, when the Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter flew over the area.
UPDATE at 2:17 pm:
The Icelandic Coast Guard ship Þór has towed the ferry Baldur to Stykkishólmur, and the tugboat Fönix is towing the ferry the last stretch in the harbor, mbl.is reports.
