The ROCKNES – history of events

The ‘Rocknes' is a 166-meter-long Dynamic Positioned Flexible Fallpipe Vessel. It is managed by the Jebsens Group. The vessel is specially designed for dumping rocks offshore that secure underwater oil pipelines. At the time of the accident the vessel was loaded with rocks and pebbles that were to be delivered in Emden, Germany.

The ‘Rocknes' capsized near Bergen in Norway on the 19 th of January 2004. At approximately 16:30h local time the ‘Rocknes' hit a shallow in the Vatlestraumen. The impact of this collision eventually caused the vessel to capsize. ‘Rocknes' sank only minutes after the incident.

Coastguard, police and medical services arrived on the spot shortly afterwards and a rescue operation began. Hampered by freezing water temperatures, nightfall and a slippery hull, rescue workers managed to save 9 crewmembers from the water and 3 from the inside of the vessel.

On January 20, the owners and underwriters of ‘Rocknes' awarded a salvage contract to SMIT Salvage BV. Together with sub-contractor Eide Marine Services they took up the task to parbuckle the vessel and to prevent the marine fuel from polluting the waters.