LANCE

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Polar explorers safe on board research vessel after challenging trip

On Dec 8, 2019, at 12.30 a.m. the polar explorers Børge Ousland and Mike Horn were taken on board the "Lance" after demanding days in the ice north of Svalbard, more than 24 hours since they met Aleksander Gamme and Bengt Rotmo who had been sent from the research vessel, and 87 days since the two polar explorers set out on the expedition with the goal of crossing the Arctic Ocean from Arctic to Svalbard via the North Pole. The South African Mike Horn and Norwegian Boerge Ousland covered about 1,800km on treacherous drifting ice in the past couple of months. The plan was for Horn and Ousland to follow the ice down to Svalbard where they would be picked up by Mike Horn's sailboat "Pangea", but the ice was far too uncertain. Therefore, Rotmo and Gamme were sent out on Dec 3 to supply them, because Ousland and Horn were close to running out of food and fuel. Mike Horn has frostbite on his fingers and nose after the long journey, but the toughest challenge was to deal with the darkness and the constant cold. As soon as the two arrived on board, the ship immediately set sail south so as not to freeze. It was 100 kilometers down to the ice edge which was expected be a tough task. Expedition Leader Lars Ebbesen has analyzed satellite images from KSAT, and created a series of pictures of the entire trail off the ice that "Lance" should follow after the polar sailors were on board. It was very cold, between 26 and 28 minus degrees. Reports with photos: https://www.t-a.no/nyheter/2019/12/08/Polfarerne-om-bord-p%C3%A5-%C2%ABLance%C2%BB-%E2%80%93-Vanskeligste-turen-jeg-har-gjort-20565395.ece https://www.vg.no/nyheter/i/4qQPbq/polfarerne-om-bord-paa-lance-se-bildene https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50705506

Research vessel broke down

The "Lance" suffered an engine breakdown and loss of electricity on board northwest of Bjørnøya on May 31, 2019, and requested assistance. Weather in the area was NW wind with a speed of 16-18 m/s and a swell of 4-5 meters. The Norwegian Coastguard deployed the patrol boat "Nordkapp" (MMSI: 257019000) to take the ship in tow. But due to the strong wind and high swell, the towing wire got into the propeller, and the ship had to abort its mission. Instead, the "Sortland" was sent to the research vessel and reached it in the night hours to take it in tow. The "Lance" was pulled southwards where better weather conditions were expected. She was returning home to Tromsø after assisting salvage personnel for further investigations of the grounded "Northguider" in the Hinlopen Strait. On June 4 she was moored off Ørndalen near Tromsø. Report with photos: https://fiskeribladet.no/nyheter/?artikkel=67322

Fire in lanudry

On June 20, 2010, at 09.08 a.m. a fire broke out in the laundry aboard the “Lance” at Harstad. The ship was drydocked at Hamek Yard in Harstad at that time. The fire rescue was called The fire department quickly gained control over fire, and smoldering parts were thrown onto land, such aslight walls and interior. The "Lance" is in drydock in Harstad for the routine five-year class and recertification.