Danish Navy’s patrol vessel HDMS Knud Rasmussen on February 23 assisted a Canadian trawler which was taking in water after hitting ice in the Davis Strait in the Labrador Sea.
Danish Arctic Command on Sunday, February 21 received a message from the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) Halifax, Canada that the Canadian trawler SAPUTI had an encounter with sea ice during fishing in Davis Strait.
The trawler suffered a leak and was taking in water into the cargo space. JRCC Halifax reported that SAPUTI sailed towards Greenland waters in order to receive assistance. The Arctic Command sent the 72-meter patrol ship Knud Rasmussen to SAPUTIs position so that it could assist and escort the trawler to Nuuk, Greenland.
Having received bilge pumps to pump out water via airdrop from a Canadian C-130 transport aircraft and from Knud Rasmussen on February 22, SAPUTI resumed its course toward Nuuk escorted by Knud Rasmussen.
Bad weather conditions, however, hampered the ships’ efforts and the SAPUTI had to stop so as to avoid taking in more water. Under the guidance of helicopters and aircraft from both Canada and Greenland, the ships reached the Port of Nuuk on February 23. All crew members of the SAPUTI arrived at the port safe and unharmed.
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