The incident occurred around 16:00 on Saturday, with the tanker sending out a mayday message at 16:02. The location of the tanker is about 45 kilometers southwest of Stavanger. The tanker was positioned in an area severely affected by the storm 'Dave'.
Strong gale from the northwest, with recorded gusts up to 30 meters per second, created treacherous conditions that significantly complicated rescue efforts. At 16:50, a rescue helicopter of the type SAR Queen was on site and started the search. Data from Flightradar shows that the helicopter was dispatched from Sola.
In addition to the helicopter, the Coast Guard and other vessels in the area have been alerted and are on their way to the position to assist in the operation. The tanker is registered in the Bahamas. The tanker was on its way from the oil refinery at Mongstad to Lithuania when the incident occurred.
The search for a man who fell overboard from an oil tanker in the North Sea on Sunday has been terminated. The man is presumed to have perished. Storm Dave has had a significant impact on North Sea operations, with authorities noting that the severe weather conditions posed extreme challenges for maritime activities.
Reactions from maritime authorities and rescue services have emphasized the difficulties posed by the storm, highlighting the dangerous combination of high winds and rough seas. Implications for maritime safety and storm protocols are being considered in light of this incident, as experts assess whether current procedures are adequate for such extreme conditions. Unknowns remain regarding the victim's identity and the exact cause of the fall, with investigations ongoing to determine these details.
Further unknowns include the precise search termination timeline and specific rescue actions taken during the operation, which authorities have not yet fully disclosed.