C6/​1997M Gen­eral Cargo Ves­sel mv HÄLS­ING­LAND, Ground­ing off Kala­joki on 14.8.1997

31.08.2000

German cargo carrier HÄLSINGLAND ran aground on 14th August 1997 at 04.00 hours at Rahja Roads in Kalajoki enroute from Raahe to Rahja. The vessel got serious damages in her bottom plating and stuck fast aground. Several tonnes of bunker oil leaked from damaged tanks to Bay of Bothnia. Part of leaked oil stranded at Lohtaja and a major cleaning operation was needed. Salvage company towed the vessel off the ground and to Rahja harbour. In Rahja her tanks were emptied and after inspection of the damages the vessel was towed to a German shipyard for repairs.

The causes of the grounding are related to radar aided navigation, to route planning, to unofficial fairways and to the regulations and advice of pilotage work.