FALKEFJELL

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Highspeed ferry disabled due to collision with whale

On Aug 19, 2025, at 5.30 p.m, the 'Falkefjell', enroute from Hammerfest to Alta, was in collision with a whale in Vargsundet, just north of Lille Lerresfjord, en route to Storekorsnes with ten passengers and three crew members on board. The ship suffered a total propulsion failure after the impact. There had been no sign of the whale on the surface before. The disabled highspeed ferry requested assistance. A service boat from a nearby fish farm was first sent to the casualty, The speedboat 'Hornøy', which was nearby at the time of the accident, took on board the passengers and transported them to Hammerfest. They were offered a hotel or a taxi to Alta. The NSSR lifeboat "Utvær" from the station in Alta was deployed by the MRCC to take the 'Falkefjell' in tow to the port of Hammerfest. No injuries have been reported, but the whale, from all indications, has died as a result of the collision. There was a lot of blood around it as it splashed around after the impact and then floated away. The damage to the 'Falkefjell' had yet to be assessed, but there was no water ingress. Reports with photos and video: https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/hurtigbat-har-kjort-pa-hval-1.17534064 https://www.nettavisen.no/nyheter/emma-satt-pa-hurtigbaten-som-traff-hvalen-falt-a-se/s/5-95-2577586